# NTSB LAX04CA145: Cessna 120, N3029N, Red Bluff, CA, February 28, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 28, 2004, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Red Bluff, CA - Coordinates: 40.150554, -122.25222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1506&lon=-122.2522&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 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58850 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA145 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58850/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA145 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind condition and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll on a narrow runway. A contributing factor were the gusty tailwind conditions. ## 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 - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - narrow (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - muddy - terrain condition - soft - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The airplane came to rest inverted after a loss of directional control while landing on a private runway about 20 feet wide. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered a quartering tailwind. The airplane veered off to the left of the runway, and despite rudder inputs, the pilot was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane continued off the runway and encountered soft, muddy terrain, resulting in the landing gear sinking in. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On February 28, 2004, about 1130 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 120, N3029N, came to rest inverted after a loss of directional control on landing at a private strip near Red Bluff, California. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local area flight departed from Red Bluff Municipal Airport (RBL), with a planned destination of the private field. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was attempting to land on a private runway about 20 feet wide. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered a quartering tailwind. The airplane veered off to the left of the runway, and despite rudder inputs, the pilot was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane continued off the runway and encountered soft, muddy terrain, resulting in the landing gear sinking in. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane incurred damage to the wing strut, vertical stabilizer, cowling, and wings. The pilot reported that the winds at the time of the accident were calm, with sudden gusts. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3029N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3029N), registered now, S/N 13287 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 120 - Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 13287 - Engines: Continental C85 Series reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Don Brand - Registered owner: Jason Brand - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: RBL, Red Bluff, CA - Destination: Red Bluff, CA - Airport: NONE, Squirrel Acres, runway 18 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 2,500 total, 55 in this make and model, 55 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040228004039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040228004039A), Feb 28, 2004: Cessna 120, Red Bluff, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Cessna 120, N3029N, came to rest inverted after a loss of directional control on landing at a Private strip near Red Bluff, California. The airplane was… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.