# NTSB CEN10CA347: Mooney M20F, N3495X, Lubbock, TX, June 26, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 26, 2010, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Lubbock, TX - Coordinates: 33.485279, -101.807777 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4853&lon=-101.8078&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Lubbock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76455 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA347 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76455/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76455 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA347 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain control during a go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis The student pilot was landing with a headwind of 15 knots, gusting to 22 knots. When the airplane was on short final approach, at about 10 to 12 feet above the runway, the student pilot said that the airplane "fell out of the sky...and bounced on all three wheels." He then applied full power and attempted a go-around. While still airborne, the right wing of the airplane struck a tree approximately 125 feet to the left of the runway centerline. The impact with the tree sheared off the outboard three feet of the right wing and the airplane then struck level terrain and came to rest upright. There was a fuel spill, but no post-impact fire. The impacts caused substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, engine mounts, landing gear, and tail surfaces. The student pilot reported that he was not injured. An examination of the airplane revealed no preexisting anomalies. ## Factual narrative The student pilot was landing on a 3,500 feet long by 70 feet wide asphalt runway with a headwind of 15 knots with gusts to 22 knots. When the airplane was on short final approach at about 10 to 12 feet above the runway the student pilot said "she [the airplane] fell out of the sky... and bounced on all three wheels". He then applied full power and attempted a go-around. While still airborne, during the go-around attempt, the right wing of the airplane struck a tree approximately 125 feet to the left of the runway centerline. The impact with the tree sheared off the outboard three feet of the right wing and the airplane then struck level terrain and came to rest upright. There was a fuel spill, but no post-impact fire. The impacts caused substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, engine mounts, landing gear, and tail surfaces. The student pilot reported that he was not injured. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event) - [Uncontrolled descent: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) - [Post-impact: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3495X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3495X-2014-10-02), registration cancelled 2014-10-02, S/N 670034, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 670034 - Airframe hours: 2781 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FWS, Burleson, TX - Destination: F82, Lubbock, TX - Airport: F82, Town and Country Airpark, runway 17, 3,500 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 52; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 24, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 104 total, 84 in this make and model, 27 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 15 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: LBB, 348 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 20100626037159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100626037159A), Jun 26, 2010: Mooney M20F, Lubbock, TX, Substantial damage. On June 26, 2010, at approximately 15:20 CST, N3495X a Mooney M-20 was preparing to land at town and county airport (F82), located in Lubbock, Texas. Pilot… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 23, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76455. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333468&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.