# NTSB LAX90DUG03: Groves Cougar, N4758, Banning, CA, February 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1990, 11:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Banning, CA
- Coordinates: 33.950023, -116.829277 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9500&lon=-116.8293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DUG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26531/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DUG03

## Probable cause

PILOT'S IMPROPER WIND EVALUATION AND IMPROPER AIRCRAFT HANDLING AFTER LANDING. THE TAILWIND AND WIND GUSTS WERE FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - fluid,fuel - runway
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - daylight

## Analysis

PILOT OF AN EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT LANDED DOWNWIND ON RUNWAY 26 AND IT NOSED OVER. THE WINDS AT THE TIME WERE FROM 090 DEGREES AT 14 GUSTING TO 17 KNOTS. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS NOT ABLE TO RECEIVE AIRPORT ADVISORIES NOR SEE THE WIND DIRECTION INDICATORS AND ELECTED TO LAND ON THE UPHILL RUNWAY. THE RUNWAY WAS 5,200 FEET LONG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4758](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4758), registered now, S/N 001, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GROVES COUGAR
- Registry model: [Grove COUGAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/grove-cougar) (registry code 05618AP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 271
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack M. Groves
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 1989, 21 hours before
- Departed: L67, RIALTO, CA
- Airport: BNG, Banning Muni, runway 26, 5,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 976 total, 271 in this make and model, 877 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 14 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Observed at: BNG

## 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 19900223002619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900223002619A), Feb 23, 1990: Amtrev COUGAR*, Banning, CA, Substantial damage. Ground looped after landing in a strong downwind condition. No advisory on UNICOM.

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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