NTSB CAROL · Event
Event LAX91LA144
Registry · N289LM
FAA Aircraft Registry record.
Make / Model
HELIO H-391B
Year of manufacture
1956 · 35 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING GO-435 (210 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19910222
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A2F070
Registrant of record
HAWKINS LYNN A
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE CROSS WIND AND SOFT TERRAIN, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE.
Factual narrative
THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT/FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WAS DEPARTING ON A PROPOSED CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE SURFACE WINDS WERE A DIRECT CROSSWIND FROM THE LEFT. WHEN THE TAIL LIFTED ON THE CONVENTIONAL GEAR AIRPLANE THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED WHEN IT EXITED THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK THE SOFT MUD ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE LEFT BRAKE WAS BEING APPLIED BY A MECHANICAL FAILURE. EXAMINATION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. THE PILOT HAD ACCRUED ONLY 19 HOURS IN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE MAKE AND MODEL. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_1991_LAX91LA144.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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