Cessna 177B N30853 accident near Shell Knob, Missouri

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control and airspeed during final approach, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that while on final approach, he was losing altitude faster than expected and the airspeed was slow. He added power so he could make the runway. The airplane subsequently pitched up, and the pilot lost sight of the runway. He added power and pitched the airplane’s nose down in an attempt to avoid a stall. As soon as he pitched the nose down, the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest inverted, and the right wing and vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage.

The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN24LA334 for the full record.