# NTSB LAX84LA408: Nesmith Cougar 1, N3456, Williams, AZ, July 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1984, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Williams, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.369613, -112.26004 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3696&lon=-112.2600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24348
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA408
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24348/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA408

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - notams - not obtained, pilot in command
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND AT THE WILLIAMS MUNI ARPT FOR A REST STOP. HE NOTED THAT RWY 2/20 WAS CLOSED; HOWEVER, HE OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE A NEW GRAVEL STRIP, ORIENTED NORTH/SOUTH & AN AIRPLANE ON THE ARPT. THE PLT ASSUMED THE ARPT WAS OPEN & PROCEEDED TO LAND ON THE GRAVEL STRIP. THE SURFACE OF THE GRAVEL STRIP WAS SOFT. JUST BEFORE THE ACFT STOPPED, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED & THE PLANE NOSED OVER. RWY 2/20 WAS NOTAMED CLOSED UNTIL 9/1/84. DURING THIS TIME, CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW RWY (18/36) WAS UNDERWAY. IT WAS ON THIS RWY THAT THE PLT HAD LANDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3456](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3456-2013-03-07), registration cancelled 2013-03-07, S/N HP-1, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NESMITH COUGAR 1
- Registry model: [Nesmith COUGAR 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/nesmith-cougar-1) (registry code 625011V) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: HP-1
- Airframe hours: 1000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James D. Peeples
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: AAIP, July 1, 1983, 50 hours before
- Departed: INW, WINSLOW, AZ
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Airport: P32, Williams Municipal, runway 18, 4,500 × 60 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 238 total, 43 in this make and model, 172 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLG, 28 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 19840722051329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840722051329A), Jul 22, 1984: Amtrev COUGAR1, Williams, AZ, Substantial damage. Landed on a dirt runway that was under construction. Nosed over in soft dirt. No x markings. Airport notamed closed

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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