Cessna 172 N424BC accident near Bayse, Virginia

Probable cause

The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, during the initial climb, once the airplane was above the tree line, he felt as though it encountered "a strong quartering tailwind." The stall warning horn sounded, and the airplane began to descend to the left. He was able to lower the airplane's nose, and the airplane touched down in the grass area that outlined the left side of the runway surface and then bounced. He cut the engine's power, and the airplane touched down again on the nosewheel and the left main landing gear. The pilot applied right rudder, and he was able to steer the airplane onto the runway and stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 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 GAA19CA486 for the full record.