Stall / Spin · NTSB WPR09FA258
CESSNA 320D — Fallon, NV
| Date | May 23, 2009 |
| Location | Fallon, NV |
| Aircraft | CESSNA 320D |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Dusk · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Approach-VFR pattern downwind Aerodynamic stall/spin |
| Pilot age | 44 |
| Pilot total time | 3,235 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | 204 hrs |
| Fatalities | 4 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Response/compensation
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C
What happened
Witnesses reported seeing the airplane approach the airport from the southwest and cross near mid-field to enter the left traffic pattern for landing. Witnesses observed the airplane make a right 270-degree turn to enter on the downwind and, after becoming established on the downwind, make a sharp left turn and descend out of sight near a point consistent with a turn to a close-in base leg. Witnesses then reported seeing a fireball erupt in the area of the accident site. On the downwind leg, at a radar-recorded ground speed of 93 to 106 knots, the airplane's indicated airspeed could have been between 71 and 81 knots, which is in the range of potential stall speeds. Ground scar and wreckage signatures were consistent with a nose-low and left-wing-low ground impact. The witness observations and the impact attitude could be consistent with a stall and loss of control. No anomalies or other conditions were found with either engine that would have precluded normal operation.