# NTSB LAX94LA319: Perth Amboy Bird BK, El Cajon, CA, August 12, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1994, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: El Cajon, CA
- Coordinates: 32.790847, -116.960113 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7908&lon=-116.9601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28825
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA319
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28825/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA319

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE UNFAVORABLE WIND WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE PERFORMED A NORMAL LANDING ON RUNWAY 27 RIGHT. AS THE AIRPLANE SLOWED TO ABOUT 15 MPH, A 'SWIRLING GUST OF WIND' LIFTED THE TAIL AND TURNED THE AIRPLANE TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT NOTED THAT AT THIS SLOW SPEED THE RUDDER AND ELEVATOR WERE NOT EFFECTIVE AND HIS EFFORTS TO COUNTERACT THE LEFT TURN WERE NOT EFFECTIVE. THE AIRCRAFT LEFT THE PAVEMENT AND GROUND LOOPED WHEN THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL ENCOUNTERED SOFT SOIL.  THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND AND WAS DAMAGED DURING THE UNCONTROLLED SWERVE.

## Factual narrative

On August 12, 1994, at 1130 Pacific daylight time, an antique Perth Amboy Bird BK airplane, NC731Y, ground looped on landing at the Gillespie airport, El Cajon, California.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the lower outboard right wing.  The certificated airline transport pilot and the one passenger on board were not injured.  The flight originated at the Gillespie airport on the day of the accident at 1100 hours as a local area personal flight.

In his written statement, the pilot reported that he performed a normal landing on runway 27 right.  As the airplane slowed to about 15 mph, a "swirling gust of wind" lifted the tail and turned the airplane to the left.  The pilot noted that at this slow speed the rudder and elevator were not effective and his efforts to counteract the left turn were not effective.  The aircraft left the pavement and ground looped when the left main wheel encountered soft soil.  The right wing contacted the ground and was damaged during the uncontrolled swerve.

## Aircraft

- Registration: NC731Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PERTH AMBOY BIRD BK
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2039-19
- Engines: KINNER K-5 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: San Diego Aerospace Museum
- Registered owner: San Diego Aerospace Museum
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SEE
- Destination: SEE
- Airport: SEE, Gillespie Field, runway 27R, 5,371 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 25,000 total, 9 in this make and model, 25,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 97 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEE, 1 nm away

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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