# NTSB ATL90LA028: Mooney M20E, N1253X, Georgetown, SC, November 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1989, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Georgetown, SC
- Coordinates: 33.359645, -79.289367 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3596&lon=-79.2894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8181
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8181/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA028

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE STUDENT'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - wet

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING LANDING AND VEERED OFF OF THE RUNWAY. THE FLIGHT WAS HIS FIRST SOLO. CONTROL WAS REGAINED BYUT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A FIRST SOLO. CONTROL WAS REGAINED BUT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BERM WHICH WAS LEFT FROM THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DRAINAGE DITCH. THE AIRPLANE THEN NOSED OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS. HIS REPORT LISTED 17 TOTAL FLIGHT HOURS WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 90 DAYS AND NO NFLIGHT HOURS WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1253X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1253X-1990-07-27), registration cancelled 1990-07-27, S/N 126 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 126
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glenn T. Russ
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 1989, 4 hours before
- Departed: CRE, N. MYRTLE BEACH, SC
- Destination: VNC, VENICE, FL

## 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--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 470 total, 396 in this make and model, 337 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHS, 35 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 19891118045919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891118045919A), Nov 18, 1989: Mooney M20E, Georgetown, SC, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Landed in swamp. No cause could be determined.

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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