# NTSB CEN11CA343: Mooney M20J, N10143, Greenfield, IN, May 13, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 13, 2011, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Greenfield, IN - Coordinates: 39.843612, -85.896942 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8436&lon=-85.8969&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 22, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79133 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA343 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79133/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79133 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA343 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a communications cart while taxiing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Towing and taxiing: taxiing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was taxiing to the ramp after landing when he heard ground controllers instruct another airplane to hold short to allow his airplane to pass. The pilot stated that he moved to the right for more clearance between the other airplane and his. The right wingtip of the airplane struck a remote communications cart that was placed at the edge of the taxiway. The accident airplane suffered substantial damage to the right wing. The outboard 2 to 3 feet of the leading edge of the right wing was crushed rearward causing damage to the wing skin, ribs, and spar. After the accident, the remote communications cart was moved farther from the edge of the taxiway. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was taxiing to the ramp after landing when he heard ground controllers instruct another aircraft to hold short to allow his airplane to pass. The pilot stated that he moved to the right for more clearance between the other aircraft and his. The right wingtip of the airplane struck a remote communications cart that was placed at the edge of the taxiway. The remote communications cart was being used by the United States Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration team who were performing at an airshow at the airport. The accident airplane suffered substantial damage to the right wing. The outboard 2 to 3 feet of the leading edge of the right wing was crushed rearward causing damage to the wing skin, ribs, and spar. After the accident, the remote communications cart was moved farther from the edge of the of the taxiway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N10143](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N10143), registered now, S/N 24-1107, built 1981 (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 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-1107 - Airframe hours: 1745 - Engines: LYCOMING IO360 SER A&C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 23, 2010, 46 hours before - Departed: RZL, Rensselaer, IN - Destination: MQJ, Greenfield, IN - Airport: MQJ, Indianapolis Regional Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 23, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 543 total, 119 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.75 inHg - Observed at: KGEZ, 16 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 20110513008329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110513008329A), May 13, 2011: Mooney M20J, Greenfield, IN, Substantial damage. Class d airspace had temporarily been implemented due to the Indianapolis air show. The pilot had landed on runway 16 and was instructed to taxi via alpha (a)… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79133. 390 KB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349622&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 380 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349692&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.