# NTSB FTW94LA153: Cessna 120, N89550, Goodyear, AZ, May 11, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1994, 16:09 local (23:09 UTC)
- Place: Goodyear, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.369892, -112.380729 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3699&lon=-112.3807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19053
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19053/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA153

## Probable cause

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

## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT, EN ROUTE TO MESA, ARIZONA, DECIDED TO LAND AT GOODYEAR, ARIZONA, DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER AT HIS DESTINATION. SUSTAINED WINDS DURING HIS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 3 WERE REPORTED TO BE 050 DEGREES AT 20 TO 25 KNOTS. THE PILOT SAID HE MADE A WHEEL LANDING AND WAS DECELERATING WITH THE TAILWHEEL ON THE GROUND WHEN A 'STRONG WIND GUST SPUN THE AIRCRAFT AROUND.' THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A SMALL DITCH.

## Factual narrative

On May 11, 1994, at 1609 mountain standard time, a Cessna 120, N89550, was substantially damaged during landing at Goodyear, Arizona.  The pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight.

In his pilot/operator report, the pilot said his original destination was Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona.  When he was just west of Goodyear, Arizona, he could see dark clouds and rain over his destination, so he decided to land at Goodyear.  After waiting for a dust storm to pass, the pilot began his approach to runway 3.  Sustained winds were reported from 050 degrees at 20 to 25 knots.  The pilot said he made a wheel landing and was decelerating with the tailwheel on the ground when a "strong wind gust spun the aircraft around."  The airplane veered off the left side of the runway and struck a small ditch and nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89550](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89550), registered now, S/N 8590, built 1946 (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: 8590
- Airframe hours: 1525
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roberti, Michael A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 19, 1994, 61 hours before
- Departed: BLH, BLYTHE, CA
- Destination: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Airport: GYR, Goodyear Municipal, runway 3, 8,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 545 total, 88 in this make and model, 465 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Observed at: GYR

## 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 19940511015809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940511015809A), May 11, 1994: Cessna 120, Goodyear, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost control landing in severe gusty surface wind. Ran off runway into ditch. Nosed over. Landed due weather ahead.

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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