On April 2, 2017, a CESSNA 172 N was involved in an aviation accident near Millbrook, NY. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and an off-runway landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During approach, the pilot added power after feeling a high descent rate, then a crosswind caused a drift. Adding more power triggered a stall warning and the nose dropped, leading to impact with a drainage pond. The aircraft came to rest inverted and sustained substantial damage.
Event Details
The pilot reported that during approach, after fully extending the flaps, he sensed the airplane was descending too quickly and added power. The pilot noted that the aircraft was nearly down when a crosswind drifted the airplane off the runway centerline. In response, he added more power. However, the stall warning horn then sounded and the nose dropped down. The airplane subsequently impacted a drainage pond located to the left of the runway and came to rest inverted.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and empennage.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Contributing factors
Causes
PilotCapability exceededAirspeed — Not attained/maintained
What happened in the 2 Apr 2017 CESSNA 172 N accident near Millbrook, NY?
During approach, the pilot added power after feeling a high descent rate, then a crosswind caused a drift. Adding more power triggered a stall warning and the nose dropped, leading to impact with a drainage pond. The aircraft came to rest inverted and sustained substantial damage.
Were there any fatalities in the 2 Apr 2017 CESSNA 172 N accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 2 Apr 2017 involved a CESSNA 172 N, at Millbrook, NY.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and an off-runway landing.
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