Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering in a turn. The low altitude at the time of the stall was a factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated he stalled the airplane while in a slow, left turn, at a low altitude. The airplane then entered a nose low attitude, collided with a tree, and hit the ground.
Source record
Factual narrative
On February 12, 1995, about 2020 eastern standard time, N79157, a Cessna 172-K, registered to Kopfman Farms Inc., crashed in Wrightsville, Georgia, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The airplane was substantially damaged, the private-rated pilot was seriously injured, and the passenger received minor injuries. The origin of the flight was a small airstrip near the accident scene about 10 minutes earlier. The pilot stated, while in a slow left turn, his airplane stalled at a low altitude. After the stall the airplane's left wing collided with a tree turning the airplane 180 degrees. The airplane then hit the ground in a nose-low attitude with 20 degrees of flaps extended. Witnesses stated they observed the airplane stall at a low altitude, clip trees, and crash in a field. -