Accident Cessna 120 N89550, Wednesday 11 May 1994

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Date:	Wednesday 11 May 1994
Time:	17:09 LT
Type:	Cessna 120
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N89550
MSN:	8590
Year of manufacture:	1946
Total airframe hrs:	1525 hours
Engine model:	Continental C-85-12
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Goodyear, AZ - United States of America
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Blythe, CA (KBLH)
Destination airport:	Mesa, AZ (KFFZ)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PILOT, EN ROUTE TO MESA, ARIZONA, DECIDED TO LAND AT GOODYEAR, ARIZONA, DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER AT HIS DESTINATION. SUSTAINED WINDS DURING HIS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 3 WERE REPORTED TO BE 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.

Probable Cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS THE GUSTY CROSSWIND.

Accident investigation: