# NTSB ATL90IA087: Mooney M-20L, N1024Z, Augusta, GA, March 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1990, 18:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Augusta, GA
- Coordinates: 33.449035, -81.990768 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4490&lon=-81.9908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8156
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90IA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8156/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90IA087

## Probable cause

THE REPORTED PERFORMANCE PROBLEM DURING CLIMBOUT WAS UNDETERMINED. THE PILOT'S DECISION TO LAND WITH THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTED CONTRIBUTED TO THE MINOR DAMAGE SUSTAINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS, THE PILOT REPORTED INSUFFICIENT ENGINE POWER ON THE GO PORTION OF THE PROCEDURE. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT DEVELOP SUFFICIENT POWER FOR WHAT HE BELIEVED TO BE A SAFE CLIMBOUT. HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE CLIMB AND LANDED ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY WITH THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTED. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST ABOUT 4000 FEET FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. RUNWAY 35 IS 8000 FEET LONG. THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED MINOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTIONS AND OPERATIONAL CHECKS OF THE ENGINE AND RELATED SYSTEMS FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY PERFORMANCE PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL OR OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS FOUND WITH THE AIRFRAME OR ITS SUBSYSTEMS. THE REASON FOR THE REPORTED POWER PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1024Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1024Z-2003-05-06), registration cancelled 2003-05-06, S/N 26-0041, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20L
- Registry model: [Mooney M20L](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20l) (registry code 5870221) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 26-0041
- Airframe hours: 191
- Engines: Porsche PFM 3200-N03 217 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lionel G. Zumbro, Jr
- Registered owner: George Lionel Zumbro, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 1989, 50 hours before
- Airport: AGS, Bush Field, runway 35, 8,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 150 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Observed at: AGS

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Incident 19900325021299I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900325021299I), Mar 25, 1990: Mooney M20L, Augusta, GA, Minor damage. Unable to develop full power after liftoff. Unable to extend gear before touchdown. Skidded into field.

## Other investigations on N1024Z (2)

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 SEA02LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA153), Aug 14, 2002: Mooney M20L (N1024Z), Newberg, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate flare and his delay in executing an aborted landing. A contributing factor was the dark night conditions.
- [NTSB SEA00LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA184), Sep 9, 2000: Mooney M20L (N1024Z), Hailey, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. A crosswind condition was a factor.

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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