Cessna 177 N177CW accident near Placerville, California

Probable cause

The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, while landing, the airplane bounced, and he chose to go around. He stated that he did not recall the airspeed after he applied full power and retracted the flaps to 10° during the initial climb. Subsequently, the airplane aerodynamically stalled and impacted terrain.

A witness at the airport reported that the airplane was operating under full power at a high angle of attack.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage.

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 GAA19CA470 for the full record.