# NTSB LAX86LA198: Cessna 501, N46MT, Bermuda Dunes, CA, April 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1986, 19:45 local (Apr 26, 1986, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Bermuda Dunes, CA
- Coordinates: 33.849094, -116.560493 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8491&lon=-116.5605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25141
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25141/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA198

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - windshear (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not attained
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - flare - not possible

## Analysis

BASED ON THE FLT'S LANDING WEIGHT, AN APPROACH REF SPEED OF 99 KNOTS WAS CALCULATED BY THE PILOT. HE REPORTED THAT 115 KNOTS WAS USED DURING THE APPROACH. THE PILOT SAID THAT DURING THE DESCENT TO THE AIRPORT, ONE AIRCRAFT WAS HEARD TO MAKE A GO-AROUND 'DUE TO WINDS, BUT LANDED SUCCESSFULLY ON THE SECOND LANDING.'  AT BETWEEN 50 AND 35 FT AGL ON SHORT FINAL TO RWY 29, THE PILOT NOTED THE AIRSPEED 'INSTANTANEOUSLY WENT FROM 115 KTS TO 85 KTS,' AND FULL POWER APPLICATION AND CONTROL INPUTS TO ARREST THE DESCENT DID NOT STOP THE AIRCRAFT FROM TOUCHING DOWN HARD ON THE RWY. THE AIRPORT MANAGER ESTIMATED THAT THE WINDS AT THE TIME WERE FROM THE NW AT 15 GUSTING 30 TO 35 KTS. THE TWEB RTE 426 FORCAST, WHICH INCLUDED THE AREA OF THE AIRPORT, STATED THAT 'NW WINDS ACROSS RIDGES AND THRU PASSES BETWEEN 20 AND 45 KTS WITH LOCALLY HIGHER GUSTS' IN ADDITION TO 'MTN WAVE CONDITIONS WITH AREAS OF WIND SHEAR' WERE EXPECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N46MT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 501
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 501-0689
- Engines: P&W JT15D-1B 2200 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Manchester Tank & Equip. Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LBB, LUBBOCK, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: UDD, Bermuda Dunes, runway 29, 4,030 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 310° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSP, 14 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 19860425015249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860425015249A), Apr 25, 1986: Cessna 501, Bermuda Dunes, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft sustained damage during a hard landing in wind shear conditions. Pilot has failed to submit a report.

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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