# NTSB WPR22LA145: Cessna 162, N6076C, Palo Alto, CA, April 6, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 6, 2022, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Palo Alto, CA - Coordinates: 37.461111, -122.11505 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4611&lon=-122.1150&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 104905 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA145 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104905/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104905 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA145 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch control during a go-around maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the ground. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 162, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060005E), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 162, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=060005E), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 162, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=060005E), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/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 162, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=060005E), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that, he departed on a solo flight, but decided to turn back to his departure airport after he encountered turbulence. During his return to the airport his altitude indication and some engine instruments were appearing intermittently on the glass panel displays. He flew the airport traffic pattern uneventfully and complied with the instructions he received from air traffic control. The student pilot decided to perform a go-around during his first landing attempt after the airplane bounced. He felt that his approach was stable during his second attempt, but the airplane bounced again during touchdown. The student pilot initiated another go-around, but pulled too far back on the yoke, which resulted in a stall and impact with the ground. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that other than the intermittent instrument indications, there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6076C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6076C-2023-09-16), registration cancelled 2023-09-16, S/N 16200229, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA AIRCRAFT CO 162 - Registry model: [Cessna 162](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-162) (registry code 060005E) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 16200229 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 2032 - Engines: Continental Motors O-200 100 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Fly America Inc - Registered owner: Fly America Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 30, 2022, 1.5 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: PAO, Palo Alto Airport, runway 31, 2,443 × 70 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: serious; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 8, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 58 total, 58 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KPAO - METAR: SPECI KPAO 061915Z 00000KT 10SM SKC 23/M01 A3014 RMK AIRCRAFT MISHAP= ## 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 20220406004999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220406004999A), Apr 6, 2022: Cessna Aircraft Co 162, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. 1. N6076C took off from Palo Alto CA. 2. Aircraft flies towards woodside CA 3. Aircraft comes back to Palo Alto. 4. While trying to land bounces on rwy. 5.Does… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 30, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104905. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13705180&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Email correspondence with pilot (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 200 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13758877&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=email%20correspondence%20with%20pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photographs (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 781 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13707605&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Rel.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.