# NTSB GAA18CA248: Cessna 172, N734QQ, Port Angeles, WA, May 2, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 2, 2018, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Port Angeles, WA - Coordinates: 47.598056, -123.276107 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5981&lon=-123.2761&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97164 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA248 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97164/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97164 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA248 ## Probable cause The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a turn away from terrain, which resulted in an accelerated stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to delay the turn to avoid terrain. ## 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 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/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 172N, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during a cross-country flight over mountainous terrain, he had a tailwind and allowed the airplane to get too close to terrain. He initiated a right turn to avoid rising terrain, but the terrain was "getting close very quickly." The pilot increased the bank angle, and the nose dropped. The pilot then applied forward pressure on the yoke, and full throttle had already been applied. The airplane stalled and then impacted terrain. Both wings and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. In the recommendation section of the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aviation Accident Report, the pilot reported that his decision to delay the turn away from rising terrain was impulsive and the main reason for this accident. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during a cross-country flight over mountainous terrain, he had a tailwind and allowed the airplane to get too close to the terrain. He initiated a right turn to avoid the rising terrain, but the terrain was "getting close very quickly." The pilot increased bank angle and the nose dropped. The pilot then applied forward pressure on the yoke, and full throttle had already been applied. The airplane descended and impacted terrain. Both wings and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aviation Accident Report, the pilot reported in the Recommendation section that his decision to delay the turn away from rising terrain was impulsive and the main culprit for this accident. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N734QQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N734QQ-2019-04-01), registration cancelled 2019-04-01, S/N 17269034, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (N) - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17269034 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 22574 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 24, 2018 - Departed: CLM, PORT ANGELES, WA - Destination: SHN, Shelton, WA - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 14, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,390 total, 1,280 as pilot in command, 235 in the last 90 days, 87 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KPWT, 22 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97164. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466720&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.