# NTSB LAX96LA166: Rockwell 112TCA, N1008R, Independence, CA, April 12, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1996, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Independence, CA
- Coordinates: 36.830089, -118.2397 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8301&lon=-118.2397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29417
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29417/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA166

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions.  The wind was a factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he encountered a downdraft when he was 100 feet above ground level, and 200 feet from the approach end of runway 23.  The pilot reported that, to arrest the sink, he applied full throttle and reduced the flap setting from 25 degrees to 20 degrees.  However, the airplane was close to the ground and impact occurred before he could stop the descent.  The airplane impacted a fence prior to coming to rest about 180 feet short of the runway.  At the time of the accident, the pilot estimated that the wind was from 230 degrees at 30 knots, with gusts to 40 knots.

## Factual narrative

On April 12, 1996, at 1245 hours Pacific daylight time, a Rockwell International, 112TCA, N1008R, owned and operated by the pilot, collided with terrain on short final approach to the Independence Airport, Independence, California.  The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot was not injured during the business flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated from Bishop, California, at 1230.

According to the pilot, he encountered a downdraft when he was 100 feet above ground level, and 200 feet from the approach end of runway 23.  The pilot estimated that the wind was from 230 degrees at 30 knots, with gusts to 40 knots.

The pilot reported that, to arrest the sink, he applied full throttle and reduced the flap setting from 25 degrees to 20 degrees.  However, the airplane was close to the ground and impact occurred before he could stop the descent.  The airplane impacted a fence prior to coming to rest about 180 feet short of the runway.  No mechanical malfunctions were reported.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1008R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1008R-1996-07-20), registration cancelled 1996-07-20, S/N 13259 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rockwell 112TCA
- Registry model: [Rockwell International 112TCA](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-112tca) (registry code 7630307) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13259
- Airframe hours: 1881
- Engines: Lycoming TO-360-C1A6D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lawrence L. Morton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 1995, 52 hours before
- Departed: BIH, BISHOP, CA
- Destination: 207
- Airport: 207, Independence, runway 23, 1,610 × 30 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 261 total, 110 in this make and model, 217 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 30 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19960412007139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960412007139A), Apr 12, 1996: Gulstm 112TCA, Independence, CA, Substantial damage. Downdraft on short final. Impacted fence short of runway. Too low and slow for severe gusty surface winds.

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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