# NTSB LAX91LA350: Cessna 402C, N161TA, Grand Canyon, AZ, August 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1991, 20:30 local (Aug 9, 1991, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Grand Canyon, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.029953, -112.019111 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0300&lon=-112.0191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 10 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27321
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA350
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27321/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA350

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE AIRPORT OPERATOR TO DEVELOP ANIMAL CONTROL PROCEDURES FOR THE AIRPORT PROPERTY.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - animal(s)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport/facilities - inadequate (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS NEAR ROTATION SPEED ON THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL WHEN AN ELK SUDDENLY RAN ONTO THE RUNWAY IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT SAID THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO AVOID HITTING THE ANIMAL. THE GRAND CANYON AIRPORT IS IN A HEAVILY FORESTED MOUNTAIN AREA. THERE ARE NO FENCES WHICH SURROUND THE AIRPORT COMPLEX. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N161TA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N161TA-2020-07-13), registration cancelled 2020-07-13, S/N 402C0070, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402C
- Registry model: [Cessna 402C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402c) (registry code 207590R) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0070
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSI0-520 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Sierra Nevada Airways
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GCN, Grand Canyon, runway 21, 8,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,900 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 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 19910808032679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910808032679A), Aug 8, 1991: Cessna 402C, Grand Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. Collided with an elk on the runway on takeoff roll. Aborted safely.

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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