# NTSB LAX90LA009: Luscombe 8C, N23060, Casa Grande, AZ, October 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1989, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Casa Grande, AZ
- Location: 32.9549° N, 111.7668° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CASA GRANDE MUNI (CGZ), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9549&lon=-111.7668&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26668
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26668/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA009

## Probable cause

PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR ADVERSE WINDS. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS.

## 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 - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND HIS 65 HP ACFT AT THE BEGINNING OF RWY 05, WHICH WAS 5200 FT LONG. AT THE TIME, THE GUSTY SURFACE WIND WAS ESTIMATED TO BE FROM 140 DEGREES AT 25 TO 35 KNOTS. ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH, IN THE NEAR 90 DEGREE RIGHT X-WIND CONDITION, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF HIS ACFT & IT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN 250 FT SHORT OF THE THRESHOLD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N23060 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 984
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jesse M. Beard
- Departed: FMN, FARMINGTON, NM
- Airport: CGZ, Casa Grande Muni, runway 5, 5,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,450 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 25 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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