# NTSB LAX93LA012: Gilbert SX300, N330RJ, Rosamond, CA, October 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1992, 13:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Rosamond, CA
- Coordinates: 34.869361, -118.340446 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8694&lon=-118.3404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27845
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27845/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA012

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING WHICH LED TO AN INADVERTENT STALL SPIN.

## 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 - base leg/base to final
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE INVESTIGATION WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHO WAS ACTUALLY FLYING THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. A 3,100 HOUR COMMERCIAL PILOT, WHO WAS THE OWNER AND BUILDER OF THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRPLANE, WAS IN THE RIGHT SEAT. THE LEFT SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY HIS PRIVATE PILOT SON WHO HAD ABOUT 128 HOURS. THEY WERE ATTEMPTING TO LAND AT AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT ON RUNWAY 25. THE AIRPORT MANAGER AND FIXED BASE OPERATOR AT THE AIRPORT STATED THAT THE WINDS WERE OUT OF THE SOUTH AT ABOUT 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO ABOUT 30 MPH. THE OPERATOR FURTHER STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD MADE TWO OR THREE CLOSE IN LEFT HAND APPROACHES, EACH TIME OVERFLYING THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE ON THE TURN TO FINAL AND CORRECTING WITH STEEP BANKED TURNS BACK TO THE RUNWAY. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE ROLLED INVERTED WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE AN 'ACCELERATED STALL.' THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED AT THE ACCIDENT SITE BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR WHO REPORTED FINDING NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N330RJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N330RJ-2013-09-19), registration cancelled 2013-09-19, S/N 71, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GILBERT SX300
- Registry model: [Gilbert John D SWEARINGEN SX300](https://openairdocs.org/model/gilbert-john-d-swearingen-sx300) (registry code 05612XD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 71
- Engines: LYCOMING IO 540 AA1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John D. Gilbert
- Registered owner: John D. Gilbert
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA
- Airport: L00, Rosamond Skypark, runway 25, 3,600 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 24 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: WJF, 9 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 19921014042189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921014042189A), Oct 14, 1992: Amtres SX300, Rosamond, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Rolled violently on short final. Crashed and burned. Servere gusty crosswind existed. FBO said accelerated stall.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.