# NTSB CHI01LA061: Mooney M20S, N2184N, Port Huron, MI, January 1, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 1, 2001, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Port Huron, MI - Coordinates: 42.970165, -82.420112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9702&lon=-82.4201&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 1, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 50895 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50895/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA061 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain directional control of the airplane and the runway selected resulted in a tailwind condition. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty crosswind and the snow bank. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane contacted a snow bank on the side of the runway during landing. The landing was being made on runway 04 (5,103 feet by 100 feet). The pilot reported the winds were from the northwest at 10 knots and that a "minimal" crosswind correction was required on final approach. He continued to report that just prior to touchdown while 2 feet above the runway "…a significant gust ballooned the aircraft 5-6 ft. above the runway where the aircraft stalled and began to settle abruptly with a nose high attitude." The pilot added power in an attempt to recover, however, the airplane traveled to the right side of the runway where it contacted a snow bank and spun around prior to coming to rest. The local weather observation, taken 5 minutes prior to the accident, reported winds from 270 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots. ## Factual narrative On January 1, 2001, at 1245 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20S, N2184N, operated by a private pilot collided with a snow bank while landing on runway 04 (5,103 feet by 100 feet) at the St. Clair County International Airport, Port Huron, Michigan. The pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Detroit, Michigan, at 1200 eastern standard time. The pilot reported he flew a practice ILS approach to runway 04. The approach was terminated in a go-around followed by VFR traffic pattern and full stop landing on runway 04. He reported the winds were out of the northwest at 10 knots. He then departed on runway 04 and made a left hand traffic pattern for another landing. The pilot reported, "Final approach required minimal crab to correct for crosswind and then mild slip to maintain the centerline." He reported that just prior to touchdown while 2 feet above the runway "…a significant gust ballooned the aircraft 5-6 ft. above the runway where the aircraft stalled and began to settle abruptly with a nose high attitude." He reported he applied power to recover, but could not gain enough airspeed. The airplane veered to the right and the right main landing gear contacted the snow on the side of the runway. According to the pilot, the airplane spun around clockwise into the snow where it came to rest. The local weather observation, taken 5 minutes prior to the accident, reported winds from 270 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2184N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2184N), registered now, S/N 30-0039, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20S - Registry model: [Mooney M20S](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20s) (registry code 5870226) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30-0039 - Airframe hours: 160 - Engines: Continental IO-550-G6 244 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Steven Plomaritis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 2000, 100 hours before - Departed: DET, DETROIT, MI - Destination: PHN, Port Huron, MI - Airport: PHN, St. Clair County Int'l, runway 04, 5,103 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 2, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 168 total, 92 in this make and model, 104 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 11 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: PHN ## 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 20010101038139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010101038139A), Jan 1, 2001: Mooney M20S, Port Huron, MI, No damage. (-23) N2184N, Mooney 20S, landed at the st. Clair county airport, Port Huron, Michigan on runway 04 at 011735Z and went off the right side of the runway and… ## Other investigations on N2184N (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA08CA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA198), Sep 20, 2008: Mooney M20S (N2184N), New Castle, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The on-ground collision with a deer during the takeoff roll. A contributing factor in the accident was the failure to completely secure the airport perimeter. 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.