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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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April 26, 1986 · Cessna 501 · N46MT

Bermuda Dunes, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 26, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (6 uninjured)
Location
Bermuda Dunes, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 501
Tail Number
N46MT
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA198

BASED ON THE FLT'S LANDING WEIGHT, AN APPROACH REF SPEED OF 99 KNOTS WAS CALCULATED BY THE PILOT. HE REPORTED THAT 115 KNOTS WAS USED DURING THE APPROACH. THE PILOT SAID THAT DURING THE DESCENT TO THE AIRPORT, ONE AIRCRAFT WAS HEARD TO MAKE A GO-AROUND 'DUE TO WINDS, BUT LANDED SUCCESSFULLY ON THE SECOND LANDING.' AT BETWEEN 50 AND 35 FT AGL ON SHORT FINAL TO RWY 29, THE PILOT NOTED THE AIRSPEED 'INSTANTANEOUSLY WENT FROM 115 KTS TO 85 KTS,' AND FULL POWER APPLICATION AND CONTROL INPUTS TO ARREST THE DESCENT DID NOT STOP THE AIRCRAFT FROM TOUCHING DOWN HARD ON THE RWY. THE AIRPORT MANAGER ESTIMATED THAT THE WINDS AT THE TIME WERE FROM THE NW AT 15 GUSTING 30 TO 35 KTS. THE TWEB RTE 426 FORCAST, WHICH INCLUDED THE AREA OF THE AIRPORT, STATED THAT 'NW WINDS ACROSS RIDGES AND THRU PASSES BETWEEN 20 AND 45 KTS WITH LOCALLY HIGHER GUSTS' IN ADDITION TO 'MTN WAVE CONDITIONS WITH AREAS OF WIND SHEAR' WERE EXPECTED.

Full Narrative

BASED ON THE FLT'S LANDING WEIGHT, AN APPROACH REF SPEED OF 99 KNOTS WAS CALCULATED BY THE PILOT. HE REPORTED THAT 115 KNOTS WAS USED DURING THE APPROACH. THE PILOT SAID THAT DURING THE DESCENT TO THE AIRPORT, ONE AIRCRAFT WAS HEARD TO MAKE A GO-AROUND 'DUE TO WINDS, BUT LANDED SUCCESSFULLY ON THE SECOND LANDING.' AT BETWEEN 50 AND 35 FT AGL ON SHORT FINAL TO RWY 29, THE PILOT NOTED THE AIRSPEED 'INSTANTANEOUSLY WENT FROM 115 KTS TO 85 KTS,' AND FULL POWER APPLICATION AND CONTROL INPUTS TO ARREST THE DESCENT DID NOT STOP THE AIRCRAFT FROM TOUCHING DOWN HARD ON THE RWY. THE AIRPORT MANAGER ESTIMATED THAT THE WINDS AT THE TIME WERE FROM THE NW AT 15 GUSTING 30 TO 35 KTS. THE TWEB RTE 426 FORCAST, WHICH INCLUDED THE AREA OF THE AIRPORT, STATED THAT 'NW WINDS ACROSS RIDGES AND THRU PASSES BETWEEN 20 AND 45 KTS WITH LOCALLY HIGHER GUSTS' IN ADDITION TO 'MTN WAVE CONDITIONS WITH AREAS OF WIND SHEAR' WERE EXPECTED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 PST
Nearest AirportBermuda Dunes (0nm N)
Runway29
Runway Length4030 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 501
Tail NumberN46MT
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT15D-1B · Turbofan · 2200
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (6 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured6
Total6
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind310° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data