Aerodynamic Stall / Spin: Cessna 172K Skyhawk, N78658; accident occurred June 30, 2019 near Dare County Regional Airport (KMQI), Manteo, North Carolina

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Greensboro, North Carolina

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

OBX Airplanes LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N78658

Location: Manteo, North Carolina

Accident Number: GAA19CA439

Date & Time: June 30, 2019, 14:50 Local

Registration: N78658

Aircraft: Cessna 172 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Aerodynamic stall/spin 

Injuries: 4 Minor

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Other work use

Analysis

The pilot reported that, during initial climb, he "started to feel the airspeed drop" and that he attempted to regain airspeed by lowering the airplane's nose. The airspeed continued to drop, and the airplane aerodynamically stalled and subsequently impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, the horizontal stabilizer, and the elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Findings

Aircraft Angle of attack - Capability exceeded

Aircraft Airspeed - Not attained/maintained

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Initial climb Aerodynamic stall/spin (Defining event)

Initial climb Off-field or emergency landing

Landing-landing roll Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial 

Age: 26,Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land

Seat Occupied: Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None

Restraint Used: Lap only

Instrument Rating(s): Airplane

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None Toxicology Performed: No

Medical Certification: Class 1 Without waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: April 24, 2019

Occupational Pilot: No 

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: May 26, 2019

Flight Time: (Estimated) 417.2 hours (Total, all aircraft), 61.9 hours (Total, this make and model), 355.5 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 77.6 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 58.7 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna 

Registration: N78658

Model/Series: 172 K 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 1968 

Amateur Built: No

Airworthiness Certificate: Normal

Serial Number: 17257708

Landing Gear Type: Tricycle

Seats: 4

Date/Type of Last Inspection: May 29, 2019 100 hour

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2300 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 3918.9 Hrs at time of accident

Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming

ELT: C91 installed, not activated 

Engine Model/Series: O-320-E2D

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power: 150 Horsepower

Operator: 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KMQI,14 ft msl 

Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 19:00 Local

Direction from Accident Site: 192°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 

Visibility 10 miles

Lowest Ceiling: None 

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots / 18 knots

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None

Wind Direction: 290° 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A

Altimeter Setting: 29.85 inches Hg 

Temperature/Dew Point: 34°C / 19°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Manteo, NC (MQI)

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Manteo, NC (MQI)

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time:

Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Dare County Rgnl MQI 

Runway Surface Type: Asphalt

Airport Elevation: 13 ft msl 

Runway Surface Condition: Dry

Runway Used: 35 

IFR Approach: None

Runway Length/Width: 3301 ft / 73 ft 

VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 3 Minor 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 4 Minor

Latitude, Longitude: 35.918888,-75.695556(est)

A small plane has crashed into a wooded patch alongside Airport Road north of Manteo on Roanoke Island Sunday afternoon, June 30.

It was reported that there were only minor injuries – cuts and scrapes – among the four occupants of the plane, one pilot and three passengers.

Responders to the scene included Roanoke Island Volunteer Fire Department, Dare County EMS and Dare County Sheriff’s Department. Both lanes of Airport Road are blocked with first responders and related equipment.

Original article ➤ https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com