# NTSB LAX89LA257: Cessna 337H, N2AC, Honolulu, HI, July 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1989, 07:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Honolulu, HI
- Coordinates: 21.349819, -157.879135 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.3498&lon=-157.8791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26462
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA257
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26462/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA257

## Probable cause

AN UNEXPECTED AND SUDDEN ENCOUNTER WITH SEVERE TURBULENCE WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS CRUISING OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN IN CUMULUS CLOUD CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (cause)
  - wing - bent
  - seat belt - discontinued, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT 6000 FEET MSL ENROUTE TO AUSTRALIA ON A FERRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT OF A CESSNA 337 EXPERIENCED SUDDEN AND SEVERE TURBULENCE WHICH CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE WINGS. DURING THE ENCOUNTER THE AIRCRAFT PITCHED UP THEN PITCHED DOWN TO A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. THE PILOT WAS UNBUCKLED AT THE TIME TO TUNE AN HF RADIO LOCATED BEHIND HIS SEAT. AFTER THE ENCOUNTER THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND HE RETURNED UNEVENTFULLY TO HONOLULU.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2AC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2AC-1990-01-09), registration cancelled 1990-01-09, S/N 33701832 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 337H
- Registry model: [Cessna T337H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t337h) (registry code 2075733) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 33701832
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-G 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Brent International
- Registered owner: Thomas H. Mccorkle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: NGTA, TARAWA, OF
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airline transport, flight instructor, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 9,800 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 30 days, 14 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890727026169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890727026169A), Jul 27, 1989: Cessna 337H, Honolulu, HI, Substantial damage. Loosened seat belt to tune hf radio behind seat,hit severe turbulence. Pilot injured. Returned. Wings were wrinkled

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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