- Date
- June 24, 2014, 20:15 local (Jun 25, 2014, 03:15 UTC)
- Place
- Firebaugh, CA
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Landing
- Aircraft
- N5264GCessna L19 - A
- Defining event
- Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Status
- Completed · report September 24, 2014
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Western Pacific Region
- FAA report
- 20140624013379A
- Case key
- 89537
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions in the landing area, which resulted in a loss of directional control and encounter with soft terrain and vegetation.
Findings · 5
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot reported that while in cruise flight, he noticed that the engine temperature had risen above the normal operating range, and he felt that the engine was developing less power. He elected to make a precautionary landing on a flat grassy area. The crosswind was stronger and gustier than he expected and the airplane encountered a gust at touchdown, which placed the airplane off center of the touchdown point. He added power to go-around, however, he was unable to establish a climb as the airplane became unstable in the sand and bushes. The airplane subsequently nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings. Other than the elevated engine temperature, the pilot noted no other mechanical malfunctions or failures with the engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that while in cruise flight, he noticed that the engine temperature had risen above the normal operating range, and he felt that the engine was developing less power. He elected to make a precautionary landing on a flat grassy area. The crosswind was stronger and gustier than he expected and the airplane encountered a gust at touchdown, which placed the airplane off center of the touchdown point. He added power to go-around, however, he was unable to establish a climb as the airplane became unstable in the sand and bushes. The airplane subsequently nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings. Other than the elevated engine temperature, the pilot noted no other mechanical malfunctions or failures with the engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N5264G
- Reported as
- Cessna L19 - A
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 21093
- Built
- 1950
- Airframe hours
- 15,000
- Engine
- Cont Motor O-470-11, 213 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Halpin Timothy R
- Registered owner
- Halpin Timothy R
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · August 31, 2013
- Departed
- WVI · Watsonville, CA
- Destination
- O26 · Lone Pine, CA
- Equipment
- Stall warning system
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 62
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Seat
- Front
- Restraint
- 3-point
- Flight hours
- 1,000 total · 700 in this make and model · 1,000 as pilot in command · 5 in the last 90 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Wind
- Variable at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 81 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.87 inHg
- Observed at
- KMAE, 19 nm away
Docket · 1
The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 9, 2014, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 2.2 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N5264G · 2
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.