# NTSB FTW89LA112: Swift GC-1B, N80791, Luther, OK, June 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1989, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Luther, OK
- Coordinates: 35.658644, -97.200304 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6586&lon=-97.2003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22879
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22879/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA112

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. THE PROXIMITY OF THE TREES WERE A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS IN THE TURN TO FINAL APPROACH WHEN IT STALLED. THE PILOT RECOVERED FROM THE STALL, BUT THE PLANE'S RIGHT WING HIT A TREETOP & THE AIRPLANE CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80791](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N80791), registered now, S/N 194, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SWIFT GC-1B
- Registry model: [Temco GC-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/temco-gc-1b) (registry code 9230108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C125 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c125-series) (registry code 17011, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 194
- Airframe hours: 1420
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-125-2 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hancock, David H
- Registered owner: Hancock, Donald
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 27, 1989, 29 hours before
- Departed: SWO, STILLWATER, OK
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 18, 2,100 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 562 total, 28 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19890611015159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890611015159A), Jun 11, 1989: Univac GC1B, Luther, OK, Substantial damage. Stalled aircraft turning final for landing. Descended into trees.

## Other investigations on N80791 (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN05CA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05CA021), Nov 5, 2004: Temco GC-1B (N80791), Angel Fire, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for wind. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind.

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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