Narrative:During arrival at Sedona, the pilot contacted Sedona UNICOM and was advised that runway 21 was in use and that the winds were gusting to 25 kts. He reported that turbulence was strong through-out the traffic pattern. Full flaps were lowered on final approach. A strong downdraft was encountered on final approach and power was increased 'to maintain VASI and Vref.' Turbulence and a downdraft were reported to be exceptionally strong over the threshold. The pilot stated the aircraft touched down on all 3 gear, then it pitched up and began to porpoise with increasing amplitude. On the second touchdown, power was applied, but the engine needed 5 to 7 sec to spool up. The pilot said that after the aircraft porpoise 3 times, it was in a stall from which it would not recover. Subsequently, it went off the right side of the runway, crossed a parallel taxiway and entered a wooded area before stopping.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Improper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot which resulted in his inability to flare the aircraft and/or recover from a bounced landing. Contributing factors were: crosswind, gusts, turbulence, downdraft, and the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions."
Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: | NTSB  |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 259 days (9 months) | Accident number: | LAX90LA001 | Download report: | Summary report
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Classification:
Turbulence
Bounced on landing
Loss of control
Sources:
» NTSB
Photos

accident date:
02-10-1989type: Cessna 501 Citation I/SP
registration: N617CC
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Phoenix-Scottsdale Municipal Airport, AZ to Sedona Airport, AZ as the crow flies is 136 km (85 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.