20170811012449A

On August 11, 2017 at approximately 2:40 p.m. central daylight time, a private pilot certificated airman, and a passenger, were involved in an aircraft accident while on a low approach at the airman?s place of residence (a farm) located near Axtell, Kansas. The aircraft is owned and operated by the airman. Pursuant to the airman?s written and verbal statements, the Cessna 170 aircraft, registration number N4189V, was recently purchased by the airman, and on this particular day, was to be flown from seneca, Kansas (62K) to his (farm) residence, to perform some low approaches. The airman stated that it was a clear VFR day and no weather prevailed. The airman stated that it was the intent to conduct several low approach patterns at his (farm) residence, for a future, potential, runway to be built. Pursuant to the airman?s statement, during the second low approach, the aircraft stalled while he was reaching back to shut the aircraft door, that had just become opened. The airman stated that he attempted a stall recovery, but could not regain control of the aircraft, and hit a terrace in the field. From there, the airman stated that he attempted to correct the aircraft to hit a barbed wire fence to minimize severe damage to the aircraft. The airman stated that the aircraft went through two fences, and struck a tree with the right outboard wing, causing the aircraft to yaw hard to the right, causing the aircraft to slide into the shallow pond. The aircraft came to a rest with the nose and forward fuselage area in the shallow pond. The two occupants received only minor injuries. A post-accident inspection did not reveal any aircraft or flight control anomaly that could have contributed to this accident.

The accident file will be amended if the future investigation results in a change to any of the nine FAA responsibilities regarding the accident investigation.