Event WPR17LA112

Factual narrative

On May 26, 2017, about 2015 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 175, N6832D, sustained substantial damage after it veered from the runway and impacted trees at San Gabriel Valley Airport (EMT), El Monte, California. The airplane was registered to a private party and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 local instructional flight. The certified flight instructor (CFI), student pilot receiving instruction and passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight departed EMT, about 1900. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. In written statements, it was reported that the flight had successfully completed multiple touch and go landings prior to the accident. On the eighth landing, with the student pilot at the controls, just before touchdown, the airplane drifted to the right of the runway. As the airplane touched down, the CFI applied full left rudder input. The nose of the airplane yawed to the right. The student pilot applied full power and the airplane became airborne again with the stall horn briefly sounding. The flight instructor pushed the nose down, but the control had no travel. The airplane banked to the left and right as the flight instructor continued to try and regain control. The airplane subsequently settled back to the ground and impacted a drainage channel and trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and firewall. After the wreckage was recovered, the flight control system was examined. Aileron control cable continuity was established from the control yokes to the left and right aileron bell cranks. The aileron control chains remained on the yoke sprockets and the interconnect pulleys operated normally. Flap control cable continuity was established from the manual flap handle to the flap bell cranks. Flap impact witness marks on the left side of the fuselage confirmed the flaps were extended 30o at the time of impact. The elevator push/pull tube remained attached to the base of the control yoke. The cables were continuous to the aft elevator bell crank. The elevator trim tab cables were continuous from the control wheel to the right horizontal stabilizer root area. Rudder control cable continuity was established from the rudder pedals to the rudder horn. The rudder return springs were in place and operated normally. A review of the aircraft maintenance logbook indicated that during the last annual inspection, which was accomplished on May 18, 2017, all inspection panels were opened and all pulleys, rod ends and hinges were lubed. The student pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings during an instructional flight with a flight instructor on board. During the eighth landing, the airplane drifted to the right of the runway just before touchdown, and the flight instructor applied full left rudder to correct as the airplane touched down. The airplane's nose yawed to the right. The student applied full power, the airplane became airborne, and the stall horn activated. The flight instructor pushed the nose down, but the elevator control had "no travel." The instructor was unable to regain control, and the airplane subsequently settled back to the ground and impacted a drainage channel and trees. It could not be determined whether there was any communication or coordination between the student and the instructor that resulted in the student's application of engine power. Postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the flight control system that would have precluded normal operation. Witness marks identified on the side of the fuselage revealed that the flaps were extended to 30o at the time of impact. It is likely that, by the time the flight instructor attempted to regain control in this configuration, the airplane was at or near its critical angle of attack, and the instructor was unable to regain control before the airplane experienced an aerodynamic stall, impacted the runway, and subsequently departed the runway surface.   Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Instructor/check pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Angle of attack-Capability exceeded - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• F Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - F