# NTSB LAX91LA406: Callair A-3, N2903V, Williams, AZ, September 23, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1991, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Williams, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.370285, -112.26033 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3703&lon=-112.2603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27368
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA406
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27368/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA406

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ENCOUNTER WITH A STRONG AND GUSTY CROSS-WIND WHICH SUDDENLY DEVELOPED IN THE AREA AND HIS SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND INABILITY TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS.

## 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 - crosswind (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT PRIOR TO TAKING OFF HE HAD OBSERVED THAT THE WIND SOCK WAS 'LIMP'. THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM RUNWAY 18 AND BEGAN CLIMBING. AT AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 10 TO 20 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, THE PILOT SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD ENCOUNTERED A WIND GUST FROM 090 DEGREES AT 35 KNOTS. THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED OFF THE RUNWAY, CONTACTED THE GROUND, IMPACTED A DITCH AND COLLIDED WITH BOULDERS.  WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT REPORTED THAT, AT THE TIME OF THE MISHAP, A LIGHT RAIN WAS FALLING, A THUNDERSTORM WAS NEARBY, AND GUSTY WINDS HAD SUDDENLY DEVELOPED IN THE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2903V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2903V), registered now, S/N 119, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CALLAIR A-3
- Registry model: [Callair A-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/callair-a-3) (registry code 1850106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 119
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Muir M. Thompson
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Destination: GCN, GRAND CANYON, AZ
- Airport: P32, Williams Muni, runway 18, 6,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,600 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 35 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910923046799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910923046799A), Sep 23, 1991: Airpts A3, Williams, AZ, Destroyed. Severe quartering tailwind gust hit aircraft on initial climbout. Stalled. Crashed. Thunderstorm was approaching.

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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