# NTSB SEA89LA080: Mccoy Super Koala, Kelso, WA, May 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Date: May 6, 1989, 19:53 UTC, 12:53 local
- Place: Kelso, WA
- Coordinates: 46.140563, -122.800682 (estimated)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director, March 12, 1990
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41006
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA080
- NTSB report (PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41006/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA080

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND THE PILOT'S DELAY IN INITIATING A GO-AROUND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE CROSSWIND GUSTS, AND LACK OF TOTAL PILOT EXPERIENCE.

## Analysis

STUDENT PILOT ON FIRST FLIGHT IN 30 DAYS IN HOMEBUILT ENCOUNTERED A CROSSWIND GUST ON LNDG APPROACH. ACFT ENTERED RIGHT BANK WHICH PLT COULD NOT CORRECT. PWR WAS ADDED FOR ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND BUT BANK CONTINUED TO IMPACT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF CONTROL MALFUNCTION.

## Sequence of events

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: N30SK, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30SK-2013-04-10) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCCOY SUPER KOALA (SUPER KOAL)
- Registry model: Mccoy Kevin SUPER KOALA (registry code 0561640, https://openairdocs.org/model/mccoy-kevin-super-koala) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Bombardier ROTAX (ALL) (registry code 09050, https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 030
- Airframe hours: 28
- Engines: ROTAX 503 52 horsepower
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: KEVIN G. MCCOY
- Destination: KLS
- Airport: KLS, KELSO, runway 29
- FAA reports: 19890506010939A (https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890506010939A) (OpenAirDocs)

## Flight crew

- Pilot; age 29; student; medical class 3; hours: 10 30 days, 10 30 days in this make and model, 18 90 days, 18 90 days in this make and model, 40 pic, 28 pic in this make and model, 64 total, 28 total in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility (statute miles): 10
- Temperature (°F): 69.8

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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From OpenAirDocs.org, an independent open copy of NTSB and FAA data. The NTSB's own report is the official record of an investigation.