Summary
On June 30, 2019, a Cessna 172 (N78658) was involved in an accident near Manteo, NC. The accident resulted in 4 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
The pilot reported that, during take off initial climb, he "started to feel the airspeed drop," he corrected by using, "nose down to gain airspeed." The airspeed continued to drop, the airplane aerodynamically stalled, and subsequently, collided with the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, horizontal stabilizer and the elevator.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 290° at 7 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The airplane was taking off from runway 35.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA439. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N78658.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during take off initial climb, he "started to feel the airspeed drop," he corrected by using, "nose down to gain airspeed." The airspeed continued to drop, the airplane aerodynamically stalled, and subsequently, collided with the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, horizontal stabilizer and the elevator.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 290° at 7 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The airplane was taking off from runway 35.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA439