# NTSB LAX89LA123: Cessna 182L, N42005, Watsonville, CA, March 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1989, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Watsonville, CA
- Location: 36.9236° N, 121.7724° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Watsonville, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9236&lon=-121.7724&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26348
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26348/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA123

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPERLY PLANNED APPROACH, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE WIND SOCK POLE. THE PROXIMITY OF THE WIND SOCK (ARPT FACILITY) WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - airport facility (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A WIND SOCK POLE. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND IT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THERE WAS NO REPORTED PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42005](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42005-1989-12-06), registration cancelled 1989-12-06, S/N 18258803 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182L
- Registry model: [Cessna 182L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182l) (registry code 2072726) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18258803
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Russell, Frank E.
- Registered owner: Russell, Frank E
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Private Airstrip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 82; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 330 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRY, 23 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 19890312003649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890312003649A), Mar 12, 1989: Cessna 182L, Watsonville, CA, Substantial damage. Collided with a wind sock pole on approach to 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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