Cessna 172 N46017 accident near Dillon, Montana

Probable cause

The student pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle attack during an attempted go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB analysis

The solo student pilot reported that, while on final approach to land, he decided to initiate a go-around. He applied full power and pitched up the airplane, which then stalled and turned left about 90°. The pilot was able to recover from the stall, but the airplane was close to the ground. Subsequently he landed the airplane in an open field. The student saw an irrigation ditch ahead and attempted to become airborne again, but the airplane did not gain sufficient lift and subsequently impacted the ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student 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 WPR21LA067 for the full record.