# NTSB GAA17CA513: Cessna 172, N2982U, Belle Fourche, SD, August 30, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 30, 2017, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Belle Fourche, SD - Coordinates: 44.734443, -103.861946 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7344&lon=-103.8619&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 27, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95921 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA513 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95921/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95921 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA513 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a go-around in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## 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 · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072420), [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 172G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that he was demonstrating a "full [aerodynamic] stall" landing for the student pilot in "stiff" gusting crosswind conditions. He added that the airplane crossed the runway threshold at 2 ft, the stall warning sounded, and then a "strong [wind] gust lifted the aircraft to…[approximately] 6 feet with the stall warning still sounding." He further added that he immediately applied power to go around, but the "gust died out." Subsequently, the left wing dropped and impacted terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The fuselage, right wing, and vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station 17 nautical miles southwest from the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, wind from 110° at 12 knots. The landing was on runway 36. The flight instructor failed to submit the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that, he was demonstrating a "full [aerodynamic] stall" landing for the student pilot in "stiff" gusting crosswind conditions. He added that, the airplane crossed the runway threshold at two feet, the stall warning sounded, and then a "strong [wind] gust lifted the aircraft to appx [approximately] 6 feet with the stall warning still sounding." He further added that, he immediately applied power to go-around, but the "gust died out." Subsequently, the left wing dropped, impacted terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The fuselage, right wing, and vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor did not report that there were any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station, about the time of the accident, 17 nautical miles southwest from the accident site, reported wind from 110° at 12 knots. The landing was on runway 36. The flight instructor failed to submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2982U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2982U-2018-01-10), registration cancelled 2018-01-10, S/N 17254808, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (G) - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17254808 - Year built: 1966 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: EFC, BELLE FOURCHE, SD - Destination: EFC, BELLE FOURCHE, SD - Airport: EFC, Belle Fourche Muni, runway 36, 3,634 × 125 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 68; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right - Student pilot; injuries: minor; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KSPF, 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 20170830014029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170830014029A), Aug 30, 2017: Cessna 172G, Belle Fourche, SD, Substantial damage. On 8/30/2017 at 1100 a Cessna 172G owned/registered to Belle Fourche aero, LLC was involved in an accident during landing approach while performing… ## Other investigations on N2982U (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 LAX02LA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA290), Sep 18, 2002: Cessna 172G (N2982U), Vail, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 1, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95921. 1.3 MB in all. - Flight Instructor Statement (item 1, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457564&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Instructor%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457565&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.