Summary
On May 06, 2019, a Cessna 172 (N734DX) was involved in an incident near Auburn, CA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's improper retraction of the flaps during a go-around and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
The solo student pilot reported that, he simulated a power-off emergency landing with a 180º turn to the runway and trimmed the elevator "fully nose up" and added full flaps. Prior to touchdown, the airplane drifted right of centerline and he had "difficulty correcting and maintaining control" of the airplane so he initiated a go around. Subsequently, the student "retracted flaps entirely" and the airplane "fell [about 10 ft] to the ground," the nose wheel impacted the terrain and the airplane nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA247. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N734DX.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper retraction of the flaps during a go-around and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The solo student pilot reported that, he simulated a power-off emergency landing with a 180º turn to the runway and trimmed the elevator "fully nose up" and added full flaps. Prior to touchdown, the airplane drifted right of centerline and he had "difficulty correcting and maintaining control" of the airplane so he initiated a go around. Subsequently, the student "retracted flaps entirely" and the airplane "fell [about 10 ft] to the ground," the nose wheel impacted the terrain and the airplane nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage.
The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 6 knots. The student was landing the airplane on runway 25.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA247