# NTSB LAX86LA090: Cessna 402B, N53SA, Kalaupapa, HI, January 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1986, 09:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Kalaupapa, HI
- Coordinates: 21.18976, -156.979415 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.1898&lon=-156.9794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25052
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25052/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA090

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THAT WHEN HE DEPARTED RWY 5, THE ACFT 'BECAME AIRBORNE PREMATURELY DUE TO A HUMP AND ROUGH NATURE OF THE RUNWAY.'  HE FURTHER SAID THAT 'AFTER WALLOWING MONENTARILY BEHIND THE POWER CURVE,' THE ACFT BEGAN A NORMAL CLIMB AND ACCELERATION PROFILE. HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT JUST OFF THE BEACH, THE LEFT WING TIP STRUCK A LARGE (OCEAN) WAVE 'AT AN APPROXIMATE ALTITUDE OF 70 FT.'  THE ACFT CONTINUED FLYING, BUT THE LEFT WING WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE 2760 FT RWY WAS LOCATED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE BEACH. RPRTDLY, LARGE OCEAN WAVES IN THE RANGE OF 30 FT DO OCCUR ALONG THE BEACH, JUST OFF THE ARPT. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE NO WIND TAKEOFF DISTANCE TO CLEAR A 50 FT OBSTACLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN APRX 1600 FT ON A NORMAL TAKEOFF PROFILE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N53SA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402B0591
- Airframe hours: 9512
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Reeves Aviation, Inc
- Registered owner: Hutchinson Air Transport
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1986, 24 hours before
- Destination: MKK, KAUNAKAKAI, HI
- Airport: LUP, Kalaupapa, runway 5, 2,760 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 400 in this make and model, 3,200 as pilot in command, 280 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19860113076839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860113076839A), Jan 13, 1986: Cessna 402B, Kalaupapa, HI, Substantial damage. After an early liftoff and slow climb, the pilot reported the aircraft was struck by a 70 foot wave on departure.

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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