# NTSB LAX95LA291: Kinner Sportster K, N100AA, Los Banos, CA, August 12, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1995, 11:23 local (18:23 UTC)
- Place: Los Banos, CA
- Coordinates: 37.070037, -120.839942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0700&lon=-120.8399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29184
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA291
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29184/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA291

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain minimum control airspeed resulting in a stall, and not maintaining proper altitude on final approach.  Contributing to the accident was the unfavorable wind condition.

## 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 - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

The pilot stated that the 1933 vintage airplane and the engine were operating normally. He was on short final approach and had always been taught to land short on the numbers. He stated that he was too low and too slow to recover from the effects of an eddy wind current from some nearby buildings and stalled. The aircraft landed hard, short of the runway.

## Factual narrative

On August 12, 1995, at 1123 hours Pacific daylight time, a Kinner Sportster K, N100AA, was substantially damaged during landing approach to the Los Banos Municipal Airport, Los Banos, California.  The pilot received serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed.

The airplane collided with terrain and an airport boundary fence prior to coming to rest about 200 yards short of runway 32 at the Los Banos Airport.

The pilot stated that the airplane and the engine were operating normally, and that he had been taught to always land short on the numbers.  He also stated that he was too low and too slow to recover from the effects of eddy wind currents from the nearby buildings and stalled.

The pilot was unable to complete an accident report while in the hospital without records.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N100AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N100AA-2016-08-17), registration cancelled 2016-08-17, S/N 66, built 1933 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KINNER SPORTSTER K (SPORTSTER)
- Registry model: [Kinner SPORTSTER K](https://openairdocs.org/model/kinner-sportster-k) (registry code 4940208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Kinner K5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-k5-series) (registry code 37503, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 66
- Engines: KINNER K5 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James D. Wayt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1995
- Departed: 069, PETALUMA, CA
- Destination: PVT, COLUMBIA, KY
- Airport: LSN, Los Banos Municipal, runway 32, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCE, 25 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 19950812023129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950812023129A), Aug 12, 1995: Kinner SPORTSTERK, Los Banos, CA, Substantial damage. Stalled on short final. Impacted short and hit fence 200 yds short of runway. Too low and too slow.

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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