Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS THE GUSTY CROSSWIND.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On May 11, 1994, at 1609 mountain standard time, a Cessna 120, N89550, was substantially damaged during landing at Goodyear, Arizona. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight.
In his pilot/operator report, the pilot said his original destination was Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona. When he was just west of Goodyear, Arizona, he could see dark clouds and rain over his destination, so he decided to land at Goodyear. After waiting for a dust storm to pass, the pilot began his approach to runway 3. Sustained winds were reported from 050 degrees at 20 to 25 knots. The pilot said he made a wheel landing and was decelerating with the tailwheel on the ground when a "strong wind gust spun the aircraft around." The airplane veered off the left side of the runway and struck a small ditch and nosed over.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW94LA153