# NTSB ANC89LA074: Grumman G21, N4763C, Togiak, AK, May 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1989, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Togiak, AK
- Coordinates: 59.209774, -160.539505 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.2098&lon=-160.5395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5186
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5186/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA074

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  THE GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIR TAXI PILOT WAS ON AN UNSCHEDULED CHARTER FLIGHT IN AN AMPHIBIAN AIRPLANE TO PICK UP PASSENGERS NEAR HAGEMEISTER ISLAND. HE ELECTED NOT TO LAND AT HAGERMEISTER ISLAND DUE TO WATER CONDITIONS, BUT FLEW INSTEAD TO A NEARBY AIRSTRIP FOR A WHEEL LANDING. HE SAID THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE RIGHT WING TO LIFT AND HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4763C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G21
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pennisula Airways
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: DLG, DILLINGHAM, AK
- Destination: HAGEMEISTER, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: TOG, Togiak, runway 36, 4,400 × 30 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 14,000 total, 13,500 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 15 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890518012219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890518012219A), May 18, 1989: Grumav G21, Togiak Village, AK, Substantial damage. Landed downwind. Wind gust lifted a wing. Control was lost, ran off side of runway. Report wind direction not clear.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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