CESSNA 172
Belle Fourche, SD — August 30, 2017
Event Information
| Date | August 30, 2017 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA17CA513 |
| Event ID | 20170830X81120 |
| Location | Belle Fourche, SD |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 44.73444, -103.86195 |
| Airport | BELLE FOURCHE MUNI |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | CESSNA |
| Model | 172 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 2 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 2 |
Probable Cause
The flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a go-around in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Full Narrative
The flight instructor reported that, he was demonstrating a "full [aerodynamic] stall" landing for the student pilot in "stiff" gusting crosswind conditions. He added that, the airplane crossed the runway threshold at two feet, the stall warning sounded, and then a "strong [wind] gust lifted the aircraft to appx [approximately] 6 feet with the stall warning still sounding." He further added that, he immediately applied power to go-around, but the "gust died out." Subsequently, the left wing dropped, impacted terrain, and the airplane nosed over.
The fuselage, right wing, and vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage.
The flight instructor did not report that there were any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
An automated weather observation station, about the time of the accident, 17 nautical miles southwest from the accident site, reported wind from 110° at 12 knots. The landing was on runway 36.
The flight instructor failed to submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.