Probable cause
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during the approach to land on a gravel airstrip, he increased engine power to "extend the approach," the airplane pitched up in a nose-high attitude, aerodynamically stalled, and yawed to the right. Subsequently, the airplane impacted a snowbank to the right side of the airstrip. A postcrash fire destroyed the airplane.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA214 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 9, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Big Lake, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 170
- N-number
- N4133V
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1948
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.