# NTSB LAX90LA286: Globe GC-1B, N3314K, Vacaville, CA, August 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1990, 17:10 local (Aug 13, 1990, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Vacaville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.409904, -122.009483 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4099&lon=-122.0095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA286
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA286

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE RESULTING IN AN INFLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH AN UNFAVORABLE WIND AT A LOW ALTITUDE IN A HILLY TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE MADE A NORMAL TAKEOFF AND WAS IN THE INITIAL CLIMB, WHEN HE MADE A HEADING CHANGE TOWARDS A LOW AREA IN THE HILLS. AT THAT TIME THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED TO THE LEFT INVERTED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RECOVER FROM THE UNUSUAL ATTITUDE HE STRUCK THE HILLSIDE. THE OWNER REFUSED ACCESS TO THE AIRCRAFT FOR EXAMINATION AFTER ILLEGALLY REMOVING IT. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE 230 DEGREES AT 18 KNOTS WITH PEAK GUSTS TO 23 KNOTS. A RESIDENT FLIGHT EXAMINER STATED THE WINDS WERE VERY 'CHOPPY'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3314K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3314K), registered now, S/N 1307, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Globe GC-1B
- Registry model: [Universal GLOBE GC-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/universal-globe-gc-1b) (registry code 9230112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1307
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A3A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: R.M. Lundsford, S.R.
- Destination: 2Q3, WOODLAND, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 30,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: SUU, 6 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 19900812033239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900812033239A), Aug 12, 1990: Univac STCGC1, Vacaville, CA, Destroyed. Reported severe gust trying to clear terrain on climbout. Struck downside of hill. Crashed and burned.

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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