Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

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USAFA, Colorado

June 27, 2009 · NTSB CEN09CA459 · CESSNA 172P (N52298)
Minor/None
Note: This analysis may be based on NTSB preliminary reports, which represent an initial, incomplete investigation. Facts can change as the investigation progresses, and preliminary findings should not be assumed to be accurate or final. For older events, a final NTSB report may have been issued β€” always consult the NTSB Aviation Query for the authoritative record.

NTSB Narrative

The airplane was landing at the destination airport in gusty wind conditions. The commercial pilot reported that wind was aligned predominately down the runway with gusts approximately 10 knots above the steady state winds. When in the flare to land, the airplane would not settle to the runway normally. The pilot held the landing attitude and waited for the airplane to touch down. When the airplane floated past the pilot's planned touchdown zone, the pilot initiated a go-around. When the pilot selected full throttle and set a pitch attitude for the climb out, the airplane's stall warning horn came on. The pilot lowered the pitch and retracted wing flaps from 40 degrees to approximately 20 degrees. The airplane stalled, and the left wing and propeller contacted the runway. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and came to rest in an upright position. An examination of the airplane following the accident revealed that the left wing near the wing tip was bent upward and the firewall was buckled. The pilot's failure to maintain a safe flying airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall during the go-around.

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NTSB Findings

  • Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C
  • Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation
  • Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C

Details

NTSB ReportCEN09CA459
AircraftCESSNA 172P
RegistrationN52298
DamageSUBS
FAR Part091
Location38.9697, -104.8128
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