# NTSB ATL98LA016: Mooney M20J, N201LY, Summerland Key, FL, November 26, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 26, 1997, 10:53 local (15:53 UTC) - Place: Summerland Key, FL - Coordinates: 24.660242, -81.450454 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.6602&lon=-81.4505&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3949 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3949/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA016 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to flare the airplane for landing. The gusty crosswind was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - flare - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,main gear - overload - On ground/water collision with object, landing - object - utility pole - object - residence ## Analysis According to the pilot, as he was landing at Summerland Key, 'a gust of wind came up about 15 kts.' He said he lowered his left wing into the 'gust' to maintain centerline, and the airplane touched on the left landing gear. The left landing gear broke, and the airplane went off the left side of the runway. Subsequently, the left wing tip hit the pole of a transmission line. The airplane then struck another pole and came to rest after it struck a stilt structure under a house. According to a weather report from Marathon, Florida, the wind was from 050 degrees at 8 knots. No gusts were reported. The runway at Summerland Key was oriented 120 degrees. ## Factual narrative On November 26, 1997, about 1053 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20J, N201LY, collided with a house following a loss of control during landing at the Summerland Key Cove Airport, Summerland Key, Florida. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A visual rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight. There were no injuries to the private pilot, and minor injuries to the passenger. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the house received minor damage. Origination of the flight was Daytona Beach, Florida, about 0915, on the same day. According to the pilot, as he was landing at Summerland Key, the wind gusted to about 15 knots. He lowered his left wing into the gust to maintain centerline, and he touched on the left landing gear. The left landing gear broke, and the airplane went off the left side of the runway. While attempting to correct, the left wing tip hit a powerline. The airplane then struck another telephone pole, and came to rest when it struck a stilt structure under a house. A witness stated the pilot appeared to have trouble with the wind. According to the weather report from Marathon, Florida, the wind was from 050 degrees at 8 knots. No gusts were reported. The runway at Summerland Key was 120 degrees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N201LY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N201LY-2012-08-22), registration cancelled 2012-08-22, S/N 24-0489, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20J - Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-0489 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A3B6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Charles L. Sours, Jr. - Registered owner: Paradise View Enterprises - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 23, 1996, 90 hours before - Departed: DAB, DAYTONA BEACH, FL - Airport: X20, Summerland Key Cove, runway 12, 2,394 × 20 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 590 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MTH, 30 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 19971126035759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971126035759A), Nov 26, 1997: Mooney M20J, Summerland Key, FL, Substantial damage. Wind gust reportedly hit Mooney on final. Collapsed left main. Ballooned hit wires poles and residence stilts. (-23) no narrative. 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.