# NTSB LAX96LA064: Emroth Emair MA-1B, N88899, Pahala, HI, December 5, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 5, 1995, 12:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Pahala, HI - Coordinates: 19.200979, -155.480789 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.2010&lon=-155.4808&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29348 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29348/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA064 ## Probable cause the failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for wind conditions, and to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing. ## 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 - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - congested/confined area - weather condition - sudden windshift (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 - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis THE PILOT INDICATED THE WIND SHIFTED DURING LANDING AND HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED OFF THE AIRSTRIP DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND ROLLED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR THEN BROKE AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE AIRSTRIP IS ABOUT 1,965 FEET LONG AND 40 FEET WIDE. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED WITH THE AIRPLANE. ## Factual narrative On December 5, 1995, at 1230 hours Hawaiian standard time, an Emroth Emair MA-1B, N88899, collided with the terrain while landing at the Upper Paauau Airstrip (HI29), Pahala, Hawaii. The airplane was substantially damaged and the certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated by Murray Air, LTD, Honolulu, Hawaii, as an aerial application flight under 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot indicated the wind shifted during landing and he lost directional control. The airplane drifted off the airstrip during the landing roll and rolled down an embankment. The left main landing gear then broke and the airplane nosed over. The pilot also indicated the orientation of the runway during the landing was about 060 degrees. The airstrip is about 1,965 feet long and 40 feet wide. The elevation of the airstrip is listed at 2,600 feet above mean sea level. The pilot indicated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane before the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88899](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88899-2013-03-11), registration cancelled 2013-03-11, S/N 041, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EMROTH EMAIR MA-1B - Registry model: [Emroth-Emair MA-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/emroth-emair-ma-1b) (registry code 3280103) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Wright C9GC&D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-c9gc-d-series) (registry code 67027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 041 - Airframe hours: 7550 - Engines: WRIGHT R-1820-99 1200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Murray Air, Ltd - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 1995, 5 hours before - Departed: HI29 - Airport: HI29, Upper Paauau Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 28,115 total, 10,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 7 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ITO, 39 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 19951205040009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951205040009A), Dec 5, 1995: Emair MA1B, Pahala, HI, Substantial damage. Windshift landing lost directional control. Rolled down embankment. 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.