# NTSB ATL86LA139: Mooney M20K, N98544, Peachtree City, GA, May 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1986, 15:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Peachtree City, GA
- Coordinates: 33.390708, -84.560981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3907&lon=-84.5610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7107
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7107/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA139

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - flight manuals - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - elevator trim - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - trim setting - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT BEGAN TO 'WHEELBARROW' ON THE NOSE GEAR DURING THE LDG ROLL. THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RWY INTO A DITCH. THE PLT SAID THAT HE MIGHT NOT HAVE HAD THE PITCH TRIM SET CORRECTLY AT TOUCHDOWN. THE ACFT FLT MANUAL BEFORE LANDING CHECKLIST CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING CAUTION: 'FROM A FLAPS RETRACTED TRIMMED CONDITION, THE REQUIRED NOSE UP PITCH CONTROL FORCE WILL RAPIDLY INCREASE WHEN POWER IS REDUCED TO IDLE AND THE FLAPS FULLY EXTENDED. TIMELY TRIMMING ACTION SHOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED TO MINIMIZE FORCES.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: N98544 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20K
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-0535
- Airframe hours: 906
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-GB3 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Craig P. Mc Ewan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 24, 1985, 20 hours before
- Departed: HSV, HUNTSVILLE, AL
- Destination: 2A9, PEACHTREE CITY, GA
- Airport: 2A9, Falcon Field, runway 31, 4,600 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 363 total, 5 in this make and model, 287 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 17 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860522019639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860522019639A), May 22, 1986: Mooney M20K, Peachtree City, GA, Substantial damage. Nose down trim caused improper level off, wheel barrowing and veering off the runway side. Impacted in a ditch.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.