On August 31, 1990, a Boeing E75 (registration N5358N) operated by Bott, Conrad was involved in an aviation accident near Petaluma, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to properly use the rudder during the go-around, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with an airport wind tetrahedron. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot practicing touch-and-go maneuvers lost control during a go-around due to improper rudder use, resulting in a collision with a wind tetrahedron. The flight control system was intact.
What happened
The pilot was conducting practice touch-and-go takeoffs and landings at the airport. During the final landing approach of the session, the pilot initiated a go-around maneuver. While executing this maneuver, the pilot failed to properly utilize the rudder controls. This lack of proper control input resulted in a loss of control of the aircraft. The airplane subsequently collided with the airport's wind tetrahedron.
The investigation
Following the incident, investigators examined the aircraft to determine the mechanical status of the flight controls. The investigation established that there was continuity of the flight control system. This finding indicated that the physical linkage and operation of the controls were intact at the time of the accident.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to properly use the rudder during the go-around, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with an airport wind tetrahedron.