# NTSB SEA91LA209: Cessna 172M, Oak Harbor, WA, August 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1991, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Oak Harbor, WA
- Coordinates: 48.319713, -122.629669 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3197&lon=-122.6297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41513
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41513/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA209

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ALLOWING THE AIRSPEED TO DECAY BELOW THE STALL SPEED.  FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL RECENT EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush
  - elevator trim - not corrected, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT, WHO LOGGED ONLY 2.5 HOURS IN THE PREVIOUS 90 DAYS, CHOSE TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND DURING AN APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY.  DURING THE GO-AROUND MANEUVER THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO TURN LEFT AND PITCH UP WITH THE APPLICATION OF POWER AND THE AIRESPEED DECELERTED BELOW THE STALL SPEED.  THE NOSE UP ELEVATOR TRIM APPLIED DURING THE APPROACH WAS NOT REMOVED DURING THE GO-AROUND MANEUVER.  THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND ROTATED APPROXIMATELY 180 DEGREES COUNTERCLOKWISE BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND.  INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE WAS AVAILABLE TO ENABLE THE PILOT TO SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTE A FULL RECOVERY BEFORE GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGFTE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17266710
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Centennial Flying School
- Departed: BLI, BELLINGHAM, WA
- Destination: WA22, ELMA, WA
- Airport: S76, Oak Harbor, runway 25, 3,267 × 25 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 134 total, 120 in this make and model, 59 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

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.

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