# NTSB LAX91LA194: Lancair 320, N320MC, Fall River Mill, CA, May 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1991, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Fall River Mill, CA
- Coordinates: 41.010372, -121.47071 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0104&lon=-121.4707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27190
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27190/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA194

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND TO RECOVER FROM A BOUNCED LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN AN ON GROUND LOSS OF CONTROL.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE WIND CONDITIONS AND TURBULENCE AT THE AIRPORT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - recovery from bounced landing - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - airport facility

## Analysis

A LANCE AIR 320 LOST CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH A T-HANGAR. THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD AND BOUNCED THREE TIMES BEFORE DRIFTING OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE THEN DRAGGED A WING AND CARTWHEELED INTO THE DOORS OF A T-HANGAR. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE WINDS WERE SHIFTING FROM A CROSSWIND TO A QUARTERING TAILWIND.  THE PILOT ALSO INDICATED THAT HE NOTED TURBULENCE ON THE DOWNWIND LEG OF THE AIRPORT TRAFFIC PATTERN.  THE AIRPORT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A WIND DIRECTION INDICATOR AND A SEGMENTED CIRCLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N320MC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N320MC-2007-01-23), registration cancelled 2007-01-23, S/N 444-FB-24, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LANCAIR 320
- Registry model: [Hardin M C LANCAIR 320](https://openairdocs.org/model/hardin-m-c-lancair-320) (registry code 0561853) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 444-FB-24
- Engines: LYCOMING IO 360 B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hardin, M.C.
- Registered owner: Hardin, M.C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 043, YERINGTON, NV
- Destination: 289, FALL RIVER MILL, CA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: 089, Fall River Mill, runway 2, 3,600 × 80 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 689 total, 17 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19910505014139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910505014139A), May 5, 1991: Amtrnc 320LANCAIR, Fall River Mill, CA, Destroyed. Lost directional control landing. Left runway and cartwheeled into hangar. Blamed shifting surface winds.

## Other investigations on N320MC (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA04LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA179), Sep 3, 2004: Hardin Lancair 320 (N320MC), Chewelah, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fuel exhaustion as a result of a fuel leak from an undetermined location resulting in a loss of engine power during approach for landing and subsequent forced landing. Soft terrain was a factor.

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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