Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ERA20CA146

Hollywood, FL, USA

Aircraft #1

N734HF

Cessna 172

Analysis

The flight instructor reported that, during a flight review, the private pilot completed five touch-and-go landings in gusting wind conditions. During the landing flare for the sixth touch-and-go landing, a strong wind gust forced the airplane out of ground effect, and the instructor called for a go-around. During the go-around, the pilot did not add full power, and the instructor took the flight controls; however, the airplane had already stalled. Subsequently, the airplane descended, impacted the left side of the runway, continued off the runway into grass, and nosed over. The right wing and vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunction or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

The flight instructor reported that during a flight review, the private pilot had completed 6 touch and go landings, in gusty wind conditions. During the subsequent approach, while the airplane was in the landing flare, a strong wind gust forced the airplane out of ground effect, and the instructor called for a go-around. The instructor reported during the go-around, the private pilot did not add full power, and he took the flight controls, however, as he did so, the airplane was already in an aerodynamic stall. Subsequently, the airplane descended, rolled to the left, and impacted the left side of the runway, where it continued into the grass and nosed over. The right wing and vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor reported that there were no mechanical malfunction or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s failure to apply full engine power during the initiation of a go-around in gusting wind conditions and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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