Saturday, July 16, 2022

Aerodynamic Stall: Cessna 162 Skycatcher, N6076C; accident occurred April 06, 2022 at Palo Alto Airport (KPAO), Santa Clara County, California







Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Jose, California

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

Fly America Inc


Location: Palo Alto, California 
Accident Number: WPR22LA145
Date and Time: April 6, 2022, 12:15 Local
Registration: N6076C
Aircraft: CESSNA AIRCRAFT CO 162 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Aerodynamic stall/spin 
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The student pilot reported that, he departed on a solo flight, but decided to turn back to his departure airport after he encountered turbulence. During his return to the airport his altitude indication and some engine instruments were appearing intermittently on the glass panel displays. He flew the airport traffic pattern uneventfully and complied with the instructions he received from air traffic control. The student pilot decided to perform a go-around during his first landing attempt after the airplane bounced. He felt that his approach was stable during his second attempt, but the airplane bounced again during touchdown. The student pilot initiated another go-around, but pulled too far back on the yoke, which resulted in a stall and impact with the ground. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that other than the intermittent instrument indications, there were no preimpact 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 pitch control during a go-around maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the ground. 

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Student/instructed pilot
Aircraft Pitch control - Incorrect use/operation
Aircraft Angle of attack - Not attained/maintained

Factual Information

History of Flight

Approach-VFR go-around Aerodynamic stall/spin (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Student 
Age: 58, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None 
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None 
Second Pilot Present:
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: October 21, 2021
Occupational Pilot: No 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: March 8, 2022
Flight Time: 58 hours (Total, all aircraft), 58 hours (Total, this make and model), 1 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 23 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CESSNA AIRCRAFT CO 
Registration: N6076C
Model/Series: 162 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2013
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Special light-sport (Special) 
Serial Number: 16200229
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle 
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: March 30, 2022 Annual Certified 
Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 1.5 Hrs 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2032 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental Motors
ELT: Installed 
Engine Model/Series: O-200
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 100
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPAO,7 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 12:15 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 345°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /
Wind Direction: 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / -1°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Palo Alto, CA 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Palo Alto, CA
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Palo Alto Airport PAO Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 7 ft msl 
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 31
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2443 ft / 70 ft 
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop; Traffic pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 37.461111,-122.11505 (est)

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