# NTSB CEN09CA414: Mooney M20, N270SD, Steamboat Springs, CO, July 2, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 2, 2009, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Steamboat Springs, CO - Coordinates: 40.516109, -106.866111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5161&lon=-106.8661&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 74213 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA414 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74213/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74213 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA414 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper pitch control during the go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Prior to departing on a 108-nautical-mile cross-country flight, the private pilot reported that he remained in the traffic pattern for one touch-and-go landing. The airplane was flown at a slower than normal speed on the downwind and base legs. The airplane crossed 30 feet above the runway "numbers" at 67 to 68 knots. The pilot reduced engine power for the landing and the airplane stalled at approximately 7 to 10 feet above the runway. After experiencing a hard landing, the airplane bounced back into the air and the pilot elected to perform a go-around. The pilot selected full power and pulled back on the yoke to avoid nosewheel contact with the runway. The pilot reported that the airplane became airborne, but he was at a slower than normal airspeed. At approximately 10 to 20 feet above the runway, the airplane entered a second stall, rolled left and impacted terrain. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. No preimpact anomalies were detected during a postaccident inspection. ## Factual narrative Prior to departing on a 108-nautical mile cross country mile, the private pilot reported that he remained in the traffic pattern for one touch-and-go landing. The airplane was flown at a slower than normal speed on the downwind and base legs. The airplane crossed 30 feet above the runway "numbers" at 67 to 68 knots. The pilot reduced engine power for the landing and the airplane stalled at approximately 7 to 10 feet above the runway. After experiencing a hard landing, the airplane bounced back into the air and the pilot elected to perform a go-around. The pilot selected full power and pulled back on the yoke to avoid nose wheel contact with the runway. The pilot reported that the airplane became airborne but he was at a slower than normal airspeed. At approximately 10 to 20 feet above the runway, the airplane entered a second stall, rolled left and impacted terrain. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. No pre-impact anomalies were detected during a post-accident inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N270SD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N270SD-2012-08-30), registration cancelled 2012-08-30, S/N 27-0256, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20 - Registry model: [Mooney M20M](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20m) (registry code 5870222) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540-AF1B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-af1b) (registry code 42001, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 27-0256 - Airframe hours: 607 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AF1B 270 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wayne Lemley - Registered owner: Eal Properties - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 2009, 80 hours before - Departed: KSBS, Steamboat Springs, CO - Destination: KAPA, DENVER, CO - Flight plan: VFR/IFR - Airport: KSBS, Steamboat Springs, runway 32, 4,452 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 11, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 316 total, 53 in this make and model, 229 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °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 20090702011599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090702011599A), Jul 2, 2009: Mooney M20M, Steamboat Spri, CO, Destroyed. (-23) After flying in the local area, the pilot attempted a touch and go the pilot said he was at a slower than usual airspeed on final approach which resulted… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 21, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74213. 635 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 635 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316175&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.