# NTSB LAX90LA001: Cessna 501, N617CC, Sedona, AZ, October 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1989, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Sedona, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.939689, -111.939186 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9397&lon=-111.9392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26663
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26663/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA001

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN HIS INABILITY TO FLARE THE AIRCRAFT AND/OR RECOVER FROM A BOUNCED LANDING.  CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: CROSSWIND, GUSTS, TURBULENCE, DOWNDRAFT, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - recovery from bounced landing - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted
  - airspeed - inadequate
  - stall
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted

## Analysis

DRG ARRIVAL, THE PLT CONTACTED SEDONA UNICOM & WAS ADVISED THAT RWY 21 WAS IN USE & THAT THE WINDS WERE GUSTING TO 25 KTS. HE RPRTD THAT TURBULENCE WAS STRONG THRU-OUT THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. FULL FLAPS WERE LOWERED ON FINAL APCH. A STRONG DOWNDRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED ON FINAL APCH & POWER WAS INCREASED 'TO MAINTAIN VASI AND VREF.'  TURBULENCE & A DOWNDRAFT WERE RPRTD TO BE EXCEPTIONALLY STRONG OVER THE THRESHOLD. THE PLT STATED THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ON ALL 3 GEAR, THEN IT PITCHED UP & BEGAN TO PORPOISE WITH INCREASING AMPLITUDE. ON THE 2ND TOUCHDOWN, POWER WAS APPLIED, BUT THE ENG NEEDED 5 TO 7 SEC TO SPOOL UP. THE PLT SAID THAT AFTER THE ACFT PORPOISE 3 TIMES, IT WAS IN A STALL FROM WHICH IT WOULD NOT RECOVER. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY, CROSSED A PARALLEL TAXIWAY & ENTERED A WOODED AREA BEFORE STOPPING. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM OF THE ACFT WAS RPRTD THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N617CC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N617CC-1996-06-27), registration cancelled 1996-06-27, S/N 5010211 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 501
- Registry model: [Cessna 501](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-501) (registry code 2076603) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 617
- Engines: P&W JT15D-1A 2250 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: O'Conner, Harry
- Registered owner: Harry W O'Conner
- Departed: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Airport: SEZ, Sedona, runway 21, 5,135 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 13,460 total, 50 in this make and model, 122 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 25 knots, gusting 33
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °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 19891002038759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891002038759A), Oct 2, 1989: Cessna 501, Sedona, AZ, Destroyed. Porpoised on landing in severe gusty crosswind resulted in nose high stall and runway excursion into trees.

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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