CESSNA 172
Port Angeles, WA — May 2, 2018
Event Information
| Date | May 2, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA18CA248 |
| Event ID | 20180502X31917 |
| Location | Port Angeles, WA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 47.59806, -123.27611 |
| 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 | 1 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a turn away from terrain, which resulted in an accelerated stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to delay the turn to avoid terrain.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that during a cross-country flight over mountainous terrain, he had a tailwind and allowed the airplane to get too close to the terrain.
He initiated a right turn to avoid the rising terrain, but the terrain was "getting close very quickly." The pilot increased bank angle and the nose dropped.
The pilot then applied forward pressure on the yoke, and full throttle had already been applied.
The airplane descended and impacted terrain. Both wings and the fuselage sustained substantial damage.
Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aviation Accident Report, the pilot reported in the Recommendation section that his decision to delay the turn away from rising terrain was impulsive and the main culprit for this accident.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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.