# Accident 20231022021299A: Mooney M20C, Morganton, NC, October 22, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 22, 2023, 18:10 local time
- Place: Morganton, NC
- Airport: Foothills Regional
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.8198° N, 81.6117° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8198&lon=-81.6117&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5954Q, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5954Q) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Mooney M20C (registry code 5870208, https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 series (registry code 41515, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Reported engine: LYCOMING I0360 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot, student
- Pilot flight hours: 112 total, 60 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA24LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA086) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231022021299A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON 10/22/2023 AT APPROXIMATELY 1810 LOCAL TIME, A MOONEY M20C SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AFTER LEAVING THE RUNWAY AND STRIKING THE PAPI LIGHT SYSTEM AT MORGANTON COUNTY AIRPORT NC (MRN). WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE VFR AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT STATED IN PART THAT THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO PULL HARD LEFT AND EXITED THE RUNWAY ON TAKEOFF. THE PIC DID NOT ATTEMPT TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. THE PIC STATED HE DID NOT KNOW WHY THE AIRCRAFT PULLED HARD LEFT AND EXITED THE RUNWAY. A MAINTENANCE INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED NO ABNORMALITIES WITH THE RUDDER, BRAKING SYSTEM, LANDING GEAR, WHEEL BEARINGS, AND TIRES WERE FOUND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT FOR UNKNOWN REASONS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA24LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA086), Oct 22, 2023: Mooney M20C (N5954Q), Morganton, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and an impact with the runway’s precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights.

## Other reports on N5954Q (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20150611008559I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150611008559I), Jun 11, 2015: Mooney M20C (N5954Q), Lexington, KY, Minor damage. Pilot departed Blue Grass Airport (lex) for a local test flight. He tested the landing gear warning system and found it inoperative. Upon return to lex, the…
- [Incident 19801113079679I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801113079679I), Nov 13, 1980: Mooney M20E (N5954Q), Grass Valley, CA, Minor damage. Pilot failed to extend the gear before landing.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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