# NTSB LAX90LA024: Cessna 320, N3018T, Hayward, CA, November 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1989, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Hayward, CA
- Coordinates: 37.630374, -122.040985 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6304&lon=-122.0410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26679
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26679/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA024

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT AND HIS IMPROPER FLARE FOR LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRCRAFT, AND COMPANY INDUCED PRESSURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - company-induced pressure, company/operator management (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT COMPANY MANAGEMENT REQUESTED HE TAKE A BUSINESS FLIGHT THAT HE DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE. HE SUGGESTED THAT ANOTHER PILOT TAKE THE FLIGHT, BUT MANAGEMENT ELECTED TO HAVE ANOTHER PILOT ACCOMPANY HIM. IN RETROSPECT, THE PILOT SAID THAT HE SHOULD HAVE REFUSED TO TAKE THE FLIGHT BECAUSE HE HAD SOME PERSONAL PROBLEMS THAT WERE DISTRACTING HIM. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND 'ON THE NUMBERS' OF A RELATIVELY SHORT RUNWAY. HE SAID THAT HE GOT THE AIRPLANE TOO SLOW TOO SOON AND INADVERTENTLY MADE A HARD LANDING SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3018T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3018T-1992-05-20), registration cancelled 1992-05-20, S/N 320C0018 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 320
- Registry model: [Cessna 320C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-320c) (registry code 2074510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0018
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-470-D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Stan Olson & Associates
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: HWD, Hayward, runway 28R, 3,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,340 total, 4 in this make and model, 2,120 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19891106044559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891106044559A), Nov 6, 1989: Cessna 320C, Hayward, CA, Substantial damage. Inexperienced in type and concerned about runway length cut power too soon on final and stall landed short.

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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