# NTSB LAX89LA226: Cessna T210L, N1982K, Parker Dam, CA, June 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1989, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Parker Dam, CA
- Coordinates: 34.279376, -114.179367 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2794&lon=-114.1794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26436
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26436/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA226

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO OBTAIN WIND INFORMATION BEFORE LANDING. FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE:  THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT HE ENTERED A NORMAL LEFT HAND PATTERN FOR A LANDING AT THE DIRT AIRSTRIP, BUT WAS 'CUT OFF BY A ARMY HELICOPTER' THAT APPEARED SUDDENLY FROM BELOW. HE MANEUVERED TO AVOID A COLLISION & SUBSEQUENTLY ENTERED A WIDE RIGHT BASE TO THE AIRSTRIP. HE STATED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHECK THE WIND SOCK WHILE IN THE PATTERN. REPORTEDLY, AFTER TOUCH DOWN, A STRONG GUST OF WIND PUSHED THE AIRCRAFT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY & IT COLLIDED WITH SEVERAL LARGE ROCKS. ALSO, THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER THE LANDING, 'THE WIND SOCK STOOD STRAIGHT OUT WITH A 90 DEGREE CROSS WIND' AT A SPEED HE ESTIMATED TO BE 18 KTS WITH GUSTS TO 25 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1982K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1982K-2001-09-12), registration cancelled 2001-09-12, S/N 21060807 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210L
- Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21060807
- Airframe hours: 3828
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gundersen, Gary K.
- Registered owner: Gary K Gundersen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1989, 35 hours before
- Departed: L66, CORONA, CA
- Destination: 91L
- Airport: 91L, Havasu Palms, runway 20, 2,400 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 578 total, 152 in this make and model, 526 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 18 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 106 °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 19890624018389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890624018389A), Jun 24, 1989: Cessna T210L, Parker Dam, CA, Substantial damage. Tried to land in a crosswind that exceeded crosswind component of aircraft. Pushed aircraft off runway into rocks.

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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