# NTSB MIA91LA221: John H. Logan Loganair I, N931JL, Gainesville, FL, September 21, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1991, 05:45 local (09:45 UTC)
- Place: Gainesville, FL
- Location: 29.6516° N, 82.3248° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gainesville, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6516&lon=-82.3248&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32928
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32928/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA221

## Probable cause

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT IN COMMAND'S DECISION TO DEPART UNDER SPECIAL VISUAL FLIGHT RULE CLEARANCE IN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES CONDITIONS DURING DARKNESS WITH A FAILED VACUUM PUMP AND RESULTING INOPERATIVE FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - vacuum system - inoperative
  - maintenance,replacement - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather condition - fog
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE VACUUM PUMP FAILED AND NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT ACCEPTED AN IFR CLEARANCE TO LAND AT GAINESVILLE. DURING THE APPROACH THE PILOT DESCENDED BELOW ASSIGNED ALTITUDE AND CONFLICTED WITH OTHER TRAFFIC. AFTER LANDING THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE THE VACUUM PUMP REPAIRED. THE NEXT MORNING THE PILOT CALLED FSS AND REQUEST A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE TO DEPART GAINESVILLE WHILE IT WAS STILL DARK AND IFR CONDITIONS. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE THE FLIGHT WAS OBSERVED MANEUVERING AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND PITCH UP AND ENTER CLOUDS. THE FLIGHT THEN DESCENDED FROM THE CLOUDS AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N931JL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N931JL-2013-04-18), registration cancelled 2013-04-18, S/N JL3054, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JOHN H. LOGAN LOGANAIR I
- Registry model: [Logan J H/Logan J E LOGANAIR I](https://openairdocs.org/model/logan-j-h-logan-j-e-loganair-i) (registry code 0561639) (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: JL3054
- Airframe hours: 165
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John H. Logan
- Registered owner: John H. Logan
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 1990, 100 hours before
- Destination: 1X4, BOYNTON BEACH, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,000 total, 165 in this make and model, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 10 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 19910921041999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910921041999A), Sep 21, 1991: Gainesville, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Crashed after departing special VFR. Not IFR rated. Reported vacuum out prior takeoff. Used alias n number and name

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.