# NTSB CEN11CA196: Mooney M20K, N262CP, Urbana, IL, February 17, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 17, 2011, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Urbana, IL
- Coordinates: 40.146389, -88.198333 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1464&lon=-88.1983&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 20, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 78388
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78388/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78388
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA196

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the go-around.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870220), [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.

- [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Prior to the flight, the pilot contacted the destination airport's fixed based operator to inquire about the local wind conditions. He planned on diverting to an alternate airport if the crosswind was too strong. During the final approach to the airport, the airplane encountered turbulent wind. The airplane ballooned during the landing flare, and the pilot executed a go-around. During the attempted go-around, the left wing contacted terrain, and came to rest upright adjacent to a residence. During the accident sequence, the airplane sustained damage to the firewall, fuselage, and both wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane showed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

Prior to the flight, the pilot contacted the destination airport's fixed base operator to inquire about the local wind conditions. The pilot planned on diverting to an alternate airport if the crosswinds were too strong. During the final approach to the destination airport, the airplane encountered turbulent winds. The airplane ballooned during the landing flare, and the pilot executed a go-around. During the attempted go-around, the left wing contacted terrain, and the airplane came to rest upright adjacent to a residence. During the accident sequence, the airplane sustained damage to the firewall, fuselage, and both wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane showed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N262CP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N262CP-2011-09-14), registration cancelled 2011-09-14, S/N 25-0092, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY AIRCRAFT CORP. M20K
- Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-0092
- Airframe hours: 3919
- Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-360 SER 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Folk Daniel H
- Registered owner: Folk Daniel H
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 2010
- Departed: 2K0, Monticello, IL
- Destination: C16, Urbana, IL
- Airport: C16, Frasca Field Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 7, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 2,162 total, 713 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 37 °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 20110217001889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110217001889A), Feb 17, 2011: Mooney Airc M20K, Urbana, IL, Destroyed. While attempting to land in gusty crosswinds the pilot initiated a go-around, and the aircraft impacted the ground.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 28, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78388. 469 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 469 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345150&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.

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