# NTSB WPR11CA251: Boeing B75N1, N81235, Torrance, CA, May 19, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 19, 2011, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Torrance, CA - Coordinates: 33.801944, -118.336944 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8019&lon=-118.3369&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 22, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 79313 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79313/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79313 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA251 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Wind: windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 90 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was entering the traffic pattern with the intent to land, when the wind direction shifted and the air traffic controller requested the pilot land on the opposite runway. According to the pilot, when the airplane was on final approach at approximately 20 feet above ground level, it experienced windshear and landed hard on the runway. Subsequently the airplane turned sharply left causing the right lower wing to contact the runway, damaging the main spar. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal flight. ## Factual narrative The pilot was entering the pattern with the intent to land when the wind direction shifted and the air traffic controller requested the pilot land on the opposite runway. According to the pilot on short final at approximately 20 feet above ground level, the airplane experienced a wind shear and the plane landed hard on the runway. Subsequently the airplane turned sharply left causing the right lower wing to contact the runway, damaging the main spar. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81235](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N81235), registered now, S/N 75-7990, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING B75N1 - Registry model: [Boeing B75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-b75n1) (registry code 1380144) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-7990 - Airframe hours: 190 - Engines: Continental W670-6a 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2010, 17 hours before - Departed: KTOA, Torrance, CA - Destination: KTOA, Torrance, CA - Airport: KTOA, Zamperini Field Airport, runway 29R, 5,000 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2010; seat: rear; flight hours: 672 total, 221 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KTOA ## 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 20110519010259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110519010259A), May 19, 2011: Boeing B75N1, Torrance, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed on runway 29 right and was apparently spun to the left by a gust of wind. The severity of the rate of turn caused the lower right hand wing to… ## Other investigations on N81235 (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI94LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA007), Oct 6, 1993: Boeing 75N1 (N81235), St Paul, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 23, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79313. 562 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 562 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349624&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.