NTSB Factual Report

On September 21, 2002, about 1630 mountain daylight time, a Cessna R172K, N1071V, sustained substantial damage subsequent to a hard landing at the Flying B Ranch Airstrip, 27 miles west of Salmon, Idaho. The airplane is owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal/pleasure flight under the provisions of Title 14 CFR, Part 91, when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight that originated from Challis, Idaho, approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident.

During a telephone interview, and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that while on approach to the airport he had to make a series of turns in an effort to line up with the runway. He stated that during one of the turns, the airplane's stall warning horn sounded and he applied "full power." After adding power the pilot initiated a second turn to the right. The pilot reported that shortly after initiating the right turn, the airplane stalled. The pilot reported that the airplane landed hard on the runway at a full power setting. After the hard landing, the airplane departed the runway edge and collided with a fence and sprinkler system.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure to maintain airspeed while on approach which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and hard landing.