# NTSB SEA89FA041: Aeronca O-58B, N48688, Minden, NV, January 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1989, 10:06 local (18:06 UTC)
- Place: Minden, NV
- Coordinates: 39.009426, -119.749397 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0094&lon=-119.7494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89FA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40912/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89FA041

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND AIRPLANE CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND MOUNTAIN WAVE CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE CLIMBING INTO MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, PLT EXPERIENCED STRONG HEADWIND ON LEE SIDE OF CREST (MOUNTAIN WAVE). THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO BE FLYING AT A SLOW GROUNDSPEED 100-150 FT ABOVE THE TERRAIN BEFORE IT STALLED AND SPUN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48688](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48688-2017-09-18), registration cancelled 2017-09-18, S/N 058B-11903, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA O-58B
- Registry model: [Aeronca 0-58B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-0-58b) (registry code 0191006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11903
- Airframe hours: 1138
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vincent X. Golden
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 1988, 33 hours before
- Departed: PVF, PLACERVILLE, CA
- Destination: B08, SILVER SPRINGS, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,138 total, 364 in this make and model, 1,943 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVL, 5 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 19890129001439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890129001439A), Jan 29, 1989: Aronca O58B, Minden, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled and spun in while flying low in mountain terrain with severe gusty surface winds. Lenticular clouds in area

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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