# NTSB LAX89DVG08: Homebuilt BG 12 B-D, N124HH, Montague, CA, July 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1989, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Montague, CA
- Coordinates: 41.760818, -122.390449 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7608&lon=-122.3904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26170
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DVG08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26170/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVG08

## Probable cause

PILOT MISJUDGED THE AIRPLANE'S ALTITUDE AND FAILED TO EXTEND THE SPOILERS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - touchdown - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - spoiler extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER FLIGHT WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT AFTER COMPLETING A LOCAL SOARING FLIGHT. THE GLIDER'S ALTITUDE WAS TOO LOW TO EXECUTE A NORMAL DOWNWIND PATTERN ENTRY AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO ENTER THE BASE LEG. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE BASE LEG ENTRY ALTITUDE WAS ABT 200 - 300 FT ABOVE THE NORMAL BASE LEG ALTITUDE AND THAT THE GLIDER LANDED LONG AND RAN OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PLT ELECTED TO GROUND LOOP THE AIRPLANE TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH A FENCE AFTER THE GLIDER EXITED THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N124HH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N124HH-2012-10-11), registration cancelled 2012-10-11, S/N HH-1, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HOMEBUILT BG 12 B-D
- Registry model: [Gyenes BG-12BD](https://openairdocs.org/model/gyenes-bg-12bd) (registry code 79001EP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: HH1
- Airframe hours: 346
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Morrison Taylor
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1989, 2 hours before
- Airport: 105, Montague, runway 32, 3,360 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; seat: center; flight hours: 115 total, 55 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 30 °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 19890701018769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890701018769A), Jul 1, 1989: Amtr BG12B, Montague, CA, Substantial damage. Overshot runway on landing. Ground looped to avoid a fence off end of runway.

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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