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NTSB Report
October 18, 1991 · Cessna 120 · N120MK
Olancha, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 18, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Olancha, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 120
Tail Number
N120MK
Operator
Kaplan Michael A
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX92LA019
THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED CONTROLLED FLIGHT AND HIT THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR A SHORT FIELD LANDING. THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN A SMALL FIELD ABOUT 120 YARDS WIDE. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED ABOUT 20 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL ENTERING A LEFT TURN ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH TO THE FIELD. THE AIRPLANE'S SPEED WAS DESCRIBED AS SLOW. THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE WAS OBSERVED TO PITCH DOWN RAPIDLY. ANOTHER PILOT INDICATED HE SAW THE AIRPLANE STALL. THE ACCIDENT SITE ELEVATION WAS ABOUT 5,600 ABOVE SEA LEVEL, AND THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS ESTIMATED AS 85 DEG F.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH. FACTORS WERE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT'S POOR APPROACH PLANNING.
Full Narrative
THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED CONTROLLED FLIGHT AND HIT THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR A SHORT FIELD LANDING. THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN A SMALL FIELD ABOUT 120 YARDS WIDE. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED ABOUT 20 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL ENTERING A LEFT TURN ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH TO THE FIELD. THE AIRPLANE'S SPEED WAS DESCRIBED AS SLOW. THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE WAS OBSERVED TO PITCH DOWN RAPIDLY. ANOTHER PILOT INDICATED HE SAW THE AIRPLANE STALL. THE ACCIDENT SITE ELEVATION WAS ABOUT 5,600 ABOVE SEA LEVEL, AND THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS ESTIMATED AS 85 DEG F.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:31 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 120
Tail NumberN120MK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorKaplan Michael A
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C1 · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 5 kt, gusting 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT