No fatalities

Aircraft Stall During Initial Climb Results in Terrain Impact

Drexel, MO, United States

On August 5, 2017, a CESSNA 172 F was involved in an aviation accident near Drexel, MO. 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, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported that an airplane aerodynamically stalled during the initial climb and impacted terrain, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing. No preaccident mechanical failures were reported.

Incident Overview and Pilot Report According to the pilot's report, the aircraft experienced an aerodynamic stall during the initial climb phase of flight. Following the stall, the airplane impacted terrain. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Damage Assessment The investigation noted that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing as a result of the impact. No other specific damage details were provided in the source material. ## Operational Context The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, date, operator, or location of the incident. The available information is limited to the pilot's account of the stall and the resulting terrain impact, along with the reported condition of the left wing.

Contributing factors

PilotCapability exceededAirspeed — Not attained/maintained

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 5 Aug 2017 CESSNA 172 F accident near Drexel, MO?

A pilot reported that an airplane aerodynamically stalled during the initial climb and impacted terrain, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing. No preaccident mechanical failures were reported.

Were there any fatalities in the 5 Aug 2017 CESSNA 172 F accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 5 Aug 2017 involved a CESSNA 172 F, at Drexel, MO.

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, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.