# NTSB LAX92LA019: Cessna 120, N120MK, Olancha, CA, October 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1991, 15:31 local (22:31 UTC)
- Place: Olancha, CA
- Coordinates: 36.260322, -117.949851 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2603&lon=-117.9499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27481
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27481/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA019

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH. FACTORS WERE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT'S POOR APPROACH PLANNING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vref) - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED CONTROLLED FLIGHT AND HIT THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR A SHORT FIELD LANDING. THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN A SMALL FIELD ABOUT 120 YARDS WIDE. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED ABOUT 20 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL ENTERING A LEFT TURN ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH TO THE FIELD. THE AIRPLANE'S SPEED WAS DESCRIBED AS SLOW. THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE WAS OBSERVED TO PITCH DOWN RAPIDLY. ANOTHER PILOT INDICATED HE SAW THE AIRPLANE STALL. THE ACCIDENT SITE ELEVATION WAS ABOUT 5,600 ABOVE SEA LEVEL, AND THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS ESTIMATED AS 85 DEG F.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N120MK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N120MK-1993-05-05), registration cancelled 1993-05-05, S/N 13541 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13541
- Airframe hours: 5684
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kaplan Michael A
- Registered owner: Consulting Aerospace Engineer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 21, 1991, 30 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,612 total, 779 in this make and model, 4,278 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19911018047139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911018047139A), Oct 18, 1991: Cessna STC120, Olancha, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled on level off trying to land in a short pasture field. Aircraft dived into rocks. Too slow on power approach

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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