# NTSB LAX89LA222: American AA-1C, N88ME, Kalaupapa, HI, June 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1989, 14:22 local (Jun 19, 1989, 00:22 UTC)
- Place: Kalaupapa, HI
- Coordinates: 21.18968, -156.979797 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.1897&lon=-156.9798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26433
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26433/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA222

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED TO PREVENT A STALL FROM WHICH THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO ABORT AN ATTEMPT TO LAND ON RUNWAY 23 AND ENTER A LOW, LEFT HAND PATTERN FOR ANOTHER ATTEMPT. THE WINDS WERE FAVORING RUNWAY 5 AT NINE KNOTS GUSTING TO TWENTY TWO KNOTS. WITNESSES DESCRIBED THE PATTERN AND APPROACH AS LOW AND UNSTABLE. ON FINAL APPROACH THE AIRCRAFT WAS REPORTED TO HAVE SUDDENLY ROCKED BACK AND FORTH AND THEN DISAPPEARED INTO THE OCEAN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88ME](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88ME-1991-04-30), registration cancelled 1991-04-30, S/N AA1C0073 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMERICAN AA-1C
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-1c) (registry code 3960100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1C0073
- Airframe hours: 2914
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eveland, Chacy R., Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 23, 1989
- Departed: HNL, HONOLULU, HI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LUP

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 280 total, 16 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 9 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKK, 8 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 19890618016059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890618016059A), Jun 18, 1989: Gulstm AA1C, Kalaupapa, HI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Crashed into water short of runway while trying to land second time in a gusty downwind. Had some kind of emergency

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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