# NTSB LAX90DUJ04: Rand Engineering KR-II, N120TM, Eloy, AZ, October 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1989, 13:48 local (20:48 UTC)
- Place: Eloy, AZ
- Location: 32.8067° N, 111.5866° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ELOY MUNI (E60), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8067&lon=-111.5866&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DUJ04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26543/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DUJ04

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, AND HIS FAILURE TO DISCONTINUE THE APPROACH WHEN IT BECAME EVIDENT THAT THE GUSTING CROSS WINDS WERE EXCEEDING THE ABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THERE WERE TWO WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT, ONE WAS LOCATED ON THE AIRPORT AND THE SECOND WAS ANOTHER PILOT IN AN AIRCRAFT TRAVELING IN COMPANY WITH THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT WITNESS ATTEMPTED TO LAND AT THE AIRPORT FIRST, HOWEVER, ELECTED TO GO AROUND DUE TO THE STRONG GUSTING CROSS WINDS HE ENCOUNTERED ON FINAL. THE GROUND WITNESS ON THE AIRPORT STATED THAT HE WATCHED THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT ON FINAL APPROACH. THE WITNESS OBSERVED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS 'HAVING TROUBLE WITH CONTROL IN THE STRONG CROSS WIND.' HE REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS AT ABOUT 30 FEET AGL ON FINAL WHEN A SUDDEN STRONG GUST 'LIFTED THE AIRPLANE UPSIDE DOWN AND THE PLANE THEN DROPPED AND STRUCK THE GROUND'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N120TM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N120TM-1990-07-20), registration cancelled 1990-07-20, S/N KR7455 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAND ENGINEERING KR-II
- Registry model: [Monto Theordore J KR-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/monto-theordore-j-kr-2) (registry code 05648WY) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: KR-7455
- Engines: REVMASTER 2100 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Theodore J. Monto
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: HMT, HEMET-RYAN, CA
- Destination: CZG, CASA GRANDE, AZ
- Airport: E60, Eloy Municipal, runway 20, 3,900 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 502 total, 232 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS, 50 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 19891020041949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891020041949A), Oct 20, 1989: Amtr KR2, Eloy, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control and became inverted trying to land in severe turbulence. Crashed off side runway inverted.

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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