# NTSB CHI91LA002: Gulfstream American 690B, N691WM, Willow Springs, MO, October 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1990, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Willow Springs, MO
- Coordinates: 36.989433, -91.959144 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9894&lon=-91.9591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14934
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14934/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA002

## Probable cause

THE AIRPLANES ENCOUNTER WITH A STATIC DISCHARGE, TURBULENCE AND A DOWNDRAFT IN THE CLOUDS WHICH WERE ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERE METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - static discharge (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (cause)
  - in flight weather avoidance assistance - not issued, atc personnel(artcc)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - electrical system - disconnected (contributing factor)
  - flight/nav instruments - inoperative (contributing factor)
- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, descent - uncontrolled
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - airspeed(vne) - exceeded (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, THE TWIN-ENGINED TURBO-PROP AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A LARGE STATIC DISCHARGE AND SEVERE TURBULENCE SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE COMBINED EVENT CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO ENTER A RAPID, UNCONTROLLED, DESCENT DURING WHICH STRUCTURAL OVERLOAD DAMAGE OCCURRED. THE AIRPLANE WAS RECOVERED FROM THE DESCENT IN VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND LANDED AT A NEARBY AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N691WM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM AMERICAN 690B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11399
- Engines: GARRETT TPE331-5-251K 720 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Wallmart Stores, Inc.
- Registered owner: Wal Mart Stores, Inc
- Departed: CPS, CAHOKIA, IL
- Destination: ROG, ROGERS, AR
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 14,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: VIH, 70 nm away

## 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 19901003043989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901003043989A), Oct 3, 1990: Gulstm 690B, Willow Springs, MO, Substantial damage. Lightning popped circuit breakers. Lost control. Exceeded vne in spiral. Recovered. Bent wings tail and fuselage.

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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