On 9 Apr 2018, a CESSNA 170 UNDESIGNAT was involved in an aviation accident near Big Lake, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s 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.
During a landing approach on a gravel airstrip, the pilot increased engine power to extend the approach, causing a nose-high attitude, aerodynamic stall, and right yaw. The airplane impacted a snowbank and was destroyed by postcrash fire.
Accident Sequence
During the approach to land on a gravel airstrip, the pilot reported increasing engine power to extend the approach. This action resulted in the airplane pitching up into a nose-high attitude. Subsequently, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall and yawed to the right. The airplane then impacted a snowbank located to the right side of the airstrip. Following the impact, a postcrash fire occurred, which destroyed the airplane.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The sequence of events was attributed solely to the pilot's control inputs during the approach.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane was destroyed by the postcrash fire. No further details on the extent of damage beyond the destruction of the aircraft were provided.