# NTSB GAA17CA489: Cessna 170, N4189V, Axtell, KS, August 11, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 11, 2017, 13:02 local (18:02 UTC) - Place: Axtell, KS - Coordinates: 39.870834, -96.259162 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8708&lon=-96.2592&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 27, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95825 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA489 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95825/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95825 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA489 ## Probable cause The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt to close a passenger door during a critical phase of flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Doors: passenger/crew doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Related operating info (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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 170, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2072302), [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. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis ***This report was modified on January 3, 2018. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.*** The pilot reported that, during a go-around after a low approach, the left cabin door opened. He added that he reached back to close the door and that the airplane then aerodynamically stalled. The pilot was unable to recover, and the airplane impacted the ground and struck multiple fences. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative ***This report was modified on January 3, 2018. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.*** The pilot reported that, during a go around after a low approach, the left cabin door opened. He added that he reached back to close the door and the airplane aerodynamically stalled. The pilot was unable to recover and the airplane impacted the ground and struck multiple fences. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4189V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4189V), registered now, S/N 18522 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Cessna 170](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170) (registry code 2072302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18522 - Year built: 1948 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C145 SERIES 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 62K, SENECA, KS - Flight plan: Unknown - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 18; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KFNB, 33 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 20170811012449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170811012449A), Aug 11, 2017: Cessna 170, Axtell, KS, Substantial damage. 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… ## Other investigations on N4189V (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 UNK64X1974](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1974), May 27, 1964: Cessna 170 (N4189V), Denver, CO, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 27, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95825. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459227&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457378&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457379&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 4, .PDF, 158 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457380&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF - Factual Revision (item 5, .PDF, 15 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459228&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Factual%20Revision-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.