# NTSB FTW90LA081: Cessna 172N, N3530E, Bastrop, LA, March 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1990, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Bastrop, LA
- Coordinates: 32.769706, -91.89952 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7697&lon=-91.8995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23114
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23114/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA081

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED FOR A GO-AROUND, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITION AND TURBULENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE HAD ENCOUNTERED MODERATE TURBULENCE WITH SOME WINDSHEAR ON THE FIRST APPROACH FOR A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING. HE SAID THAT ON THE SECOND APPROACH, WINDSHEAR WAS ENCOUNTERED AGAIN, THE AIRSPEED DROPPED, AND THE STALL WARNING HORN ACTIVATED. HE APPLIED FULL POWER, INITIATED A CLIMB, AND BEGAN A SLIGHT LEFT TURN, THEN THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND CONTACTED THE GROUND BEFORE RECOVERY. AFTER HE AND THE PASSENGER EGRESSED FROM THE AIRPLANE, IT BEGAN BURNING AND WAS DEMOLISHED BY FIRE. ABOUT 18 MILES SOUTH SOUTHWEST AT MONROE, LOUISIANA, THE WIND WAS FROM 190 DEGREES AT 14 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3530E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3530E-1990-10-30), registration cancelled 1990-10-30, S/N 17271574 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271574
- Airframe hours: 1753
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mayo, James W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 4, 1990, 59 hours before
- Departed: 2F8, BASTROP, LA
- Airport: 2F8, Moorehouse Memorial, runway 16, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 498 total, 4 in this make and model, 445 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLU, 18 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 19900310003739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900310003739A), Mar 10, 1990: Cessna 172N, Bastrop, LA, Destroyed. Encountered turbulence on final began clinbing turn go around stalled crashed and burned.

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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