# NTSB CEN23LA289: Mooney M20A, N8335E, Frankston, TX, July 8, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 8, 2023, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Frankston, TX · On T25 Airport - Coordinates: 32.081795, -95.453361 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0818&lon=-95.4534&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 192572 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA289 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192572/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192572 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA289 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## 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); cases with it: [Mooney M20A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5870204), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 M20A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870204), [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-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5870204), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Mooney M20A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5870204), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870204), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During landing, the airplane drifted right of the runway centerline. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane exited the runway and impacted a tree and a parked golfcart. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot noted that he had limited function of his left leg and was unable to apply sufficient left rudder input to maintain directional control. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8335E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8335E), registered now, S/N 1513, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20A - Registry model: [Mooney M20A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20a) (registry code 5870204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1513 - Year built: 1959 - Airframe hours: 2633 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 2022 - Departed: LFK, Lufkin, TX - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: T25, Aero Estates Airport, runway 27, 3,100 × 50 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 5,269 total, 1,670 in this make and model, 4,005 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KTYR, 16 nm away - METAR: KTYR 081453Z 23008KT 10SM CLR 29/23 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP138 T02940228 51009 ## 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 20230708021379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230708021379A), Jul 8, 2023: Mooney M20A, Frankston, TX, Substantial damage. At approximately 1452Z on 07/08/2023 the pilot landed his 1959 Mooney M20A. After touchdown while attempting to apply brakes his left leg, which gave him… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 9, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192572. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16197032&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120.1%20Form%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16197342&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.