# NTSB ATL88LA188: Mooney M-20, N5705Q, Hartwell, GA, June 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1988, 08:15 local (12:15 UTC)
- Place: Hartwell, GA
- Coordinates: 34.350902, -82.930137 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3509&lon=-82.9301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7770/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA188

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, taxi - from landing
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - not switched (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - failure,total (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED WHILE TAXIING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 5 MPH AFTER LANDING.  THE ANNUAL INSPECTION FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MATERIAL PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR TRUSS. EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURED COMPONENT DISCLOSED THAT THE TUBULAR MATERIAL HAD RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE AND THE DEFECT WAS NOT VISIBLE FROM THE OUTSIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5705Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5705Q), registered now, S/N 712 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 712
- Airframe hours: 2670
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David W. Beal, Trustee
- Registered owner: David W Beal Trustee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1987, 202 hours before
- Departed: BLAIRSVILLE, GA
- Airport: PUT, Hartwell-Mustang, runway 9, 2,600 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,330 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,330 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19880604019859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880604019859A), Jun 4, 1988: Mooney M20E, Hartwell, GA, Substantial damage. Nose gear collapsed on landing. Aircraft slid off the runway. Nose gear tubular truss failed. Rusted internally.

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.

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