# NTSB LAX92LA116: Beech D-18H, N33AP, Lanai, HI, February 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1992, 08:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Lanai, HI
- Coordinates: 20.830909, -156.920043 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.8309&lon=-156.9200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27557
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27557/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA116

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO COMPENSATE FOR AN ENCOUNTER WITH A WINDSHEAR PHENOMENA. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF A LOW LEVEL WINDSHEAR WARNING SYSTEM OR A SYSTEM FOR THE COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION OF WEATHER ADVISORIES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - windshear (cause)
  - hazardous weather advisory - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT THE APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT WAS NORMAL, WITH A 100 KNOT INDICATED AIRSPEED. THE PILOT SAID THE WINDS WERE ABOUT 110 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS DURING THE APPROACH; HOWEVER, ON SHORT FINAL HE ENCOUNTERED A VERY STRONG GUST FROM THE RIGHT. THE PILOT CORRECTED FOR THE WIND GUST THEN IT STOPPED AND THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY DROPPED HARD TO THE RUNWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THE PILOT SAID HE SUSPECTED A WINDSHEAR ENCOUNTER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES SAID THE APPROACH SEEMED NORMAL WHEN THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY DROPPED TO THE RUNWAY AND BOUNCED. THE WITNESSES SAID THAT A THUNDERSTORM HAD PASSED THROUGH THE AREA JUST PRIOR TO THE AIRCRAFT'S APPROACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33AP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33AP-2013-04-16), registration cancelled 2013-04-16, S/N BA-748, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D-18H
- Registry model: [Beech H-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h-18) (registry code 1151012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA-748
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Polynesian Airways
- Registered owner: Polynesian Airways
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: HNL, HONOLULU, HI
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: LNY, Lanai, runway 3, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,571 total, 464 in this make and model, 1,429 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LNY, 1 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 19920214002989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920214002989A), Feb 14, 1992: Beech H18, Lanai City, HI, Substantial damage. Dropped to runway on short final. Thunderstorm had just passed airport. Blamed windshear. Quartering tailwind.

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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