On May 17, 2007, a Cessna 170B (registration N2778C) was involved in an aviation accident near Fairfield, ID. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while turning from base to final, resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush and subsequent collision with terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported that while turning from base to final, the airplane stalled due to low airspeed. The aircraft impacted a field adjacent to the airport, causing landing gear collapse and structural damage.
Incident Summary
A pilot reported that during a full-stop landing approach, the airplane experienced a stall while turning from base to final. The pilot had configured the airplane with two notches of flaps and was flying the traffic pattern. As the airplane turned onto the final leg, the airspeed decreased, leading to an aerodynamic stall. The pilot attempted to recover, but the aircraft impacted a field adjacent to the airport.
Aircraft Damage
Upon impact, the left landing gear collapsed, and the airplane spun 180 degrees from its original heading. The fuselage and empennage were wrinkled and bent approximately 35 degrees. Additionally, the engine mount and firewall sustained bending damage.