# NTSB FTW92LA028: Cessna 120, N1906N, Las Cruces, NM, November 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 29, 1991, 14:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Las Cruces, NM
- Coordinates: 31.839763, -106.679565 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8398&lon=-106.6796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18411
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18411/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA028

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS THE TAILWIND.

## 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 - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING LANDINGS AND ON THE FOURTH LANDING SHE ATTEMPTED A WHEEL LANDING. AS SHE SLOWED DOWN DURING THE LANDING ROLL, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BECAME DIFFICULT. THE SLOWER THE SPEED, THE LESS EFFICIENT THE RUDDER BECAME, SO THE PILOT USED BRAKES TO STEER THE AIRPLANE. THE COMBINATION OF BRAKES AND TAILWIND RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE NOSING OVER TO THE INVERTED POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1906N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1906N), registered now, S/N 12150, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12150
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Marvin D. Jones
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1991, 50 hours before
- Departed: LRU
- Airport: LRU, Las Cruces, runway 8, 5,800 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; seat: right; flight hours: 930 total, 38 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 30 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19911129053669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911129053669A), Nov 29, 1991: Cessna 120, Las Cruces, NM, Substantial damage. Lost rudder control on wheel landing due to tailwind. Used brakes to steer. Aircraft nosed over.

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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