# NTSB GAA17CA341: Cessna 172, N9912Q, Galena, ID, June 14, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 14, 2017, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Galena, ID - Coordinates: 43.912223, -114.796112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9122&lon=-114.7961&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 10, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95376 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA341 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95376/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95376 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA341 ## Probable cause The pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a power-on stall and subsequent loss of airplane control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 123 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [After landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was attempting to perform a crosswind, soft-field takeoff from a dry, turf airstrip. He set the flaps to 10°, and the airplane was in a nose-high attitude until the stall warning horn sounded. He then relaxed pressure on the yoke until the stall warning horn stopped. Shortly after liftoff, the airplane entered a power-on stall, and the pilot lost airplane control, and the airplane then began to descend to the runway. The airplane subsequently departed the runway and impacted a barbed wire fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the airplane reported that he attempted to perform a crosswind, soft-field take off from a dry turf airstrip. The pilot configured the airplane with full throttle application, flaps 10°, and a nose high attitude until the stall warning horn sounded. He then relaxed pressure on the yoke until the stall warning horn subsided. Shortly after rotation the airplane entered a power-on stall and the pilot lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane impacted a barbed wire fence and sustained substantial damage to the right wing strut. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented, if he had received instruction from a Federal Aviation Administration Certificated Flight Instructor that was specific to the accident airplane, specifically for a soft-field takeoff because each individual aircraft has nuances that can affect the operation. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9912Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9912Q), registered now, S/N 17265856, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (M) - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17265856 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 9660.5 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ponderosa Aero Club - Registered owner: Andy Patrick - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 2, 2017 - Departed: KBOI, Boise, ID - Destination: U87, Smiley Creek, ID - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: U87, Smiley Creek, runway 32, 4,900 × 150 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 24, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 369 total, 150 in this make and model, 327 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KSNT, 17 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20170614005359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170614005359A), Jun 14, 2017: Cessna 172M, Galena, ID, Substantial damage. Soft field takeoff runway 32 at Smiley Creek. Once the airplane was off ground in nose high attitude, the airplane drifted to right due to left crosswind.… ## Other investigations on N9912Q (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB LAX08CA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA237), Jul 21, 2008: Cessna 172 (N9912Q), Salmon, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to take off in known adverse wind conditions that lead to an encounter with a windshear, the resulting inability of the pilot to maintain airspeed, and a stall/mush into the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 1, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95376. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456949&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456950&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.