# NTSB BFO89LA067: Travel Air B-4000, N13906, Midland, VA, August 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1989, 16:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Midland, VA
- Location: 38.5985° N, 77.7190° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Midland, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5985&lon=-77.7190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11520
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11520/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA067

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND IMPROPER FLARE DURING THE LANDING.  CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE:THE WIND CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
- Nose over, landing

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13906](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13906), registered now, S/N 1262, built 1929 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TRAVEL AIR B-4000
- Registry model: [Travel Air B-4000](https://openairdocs.org/model/travel-air-b-4000) (registry code 2621820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1262
- Engines: WRIGHT R-760-8 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Howard M. Clark
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1989, 3 hours before
- Departed: VA30, CULPEPPER, VA
- Airport: W66, Warrenton, runway 32, 4,106 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,722 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,625 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19890803026839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890803026839A), Aug 3, 1989: Curtis TRVAIRB4000, Warrenton, VA, Substantial damage. Touched down in a crab angle in crosswind. Side load collapsed right main gear. Flipped over on runway. 2HRS in typ

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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