# NTSB CHI07CA023: Mooney M20J, N202WB, Akron, OH, November 14, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 14, 2006, 15:55 local (20:55 UTC) - Place: Akron, OH - Coordinates: 40.91611, -81.442222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9161&lon=-81.4422&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Cleveland FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65024 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65024/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA023 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during final approach resulting in an inadvertent stall. Contributing factors were the airplane's low altitude at the time of the stall and the asymmetric flap configuration. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - base turn - flight control,flap - asymmetrical (contributing factor) - flight control,flap - jammed (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - low (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground - Gear collapsed, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted the runway during landing. The pilot reported that he deployed full flaps during the right turn from base leg to final approach. He stated that upon rolling out of the turn on final, he realized that the flaps were not symmetrically deployed. He added that the right flap was full down, but the left flap was only partially down. He attempted to raise the flaps; however, they became jammed asymmetrically. He stated that "as I rolled out for the flare, the left wing stalled and dropped sharply. I attempted to add power which only temporarily lifted the left wing. With the right wing generating significant lift and the left wing not, a steep left turn and loss of control resulted." A post accident examination confirmed flap system continuity. In addition, the flap actuator motor operated when electrical power was applied. Impact damage precluded an exact measurement of the flap deflections and rigging. The pilot noted that he had experienced an asymmetric extension and jammed flap situation about 2 months prior to the accident. He reported that in that instance he had maintained additional airspeed on approach and landed safely. He reported that subsequent maintenance action had resolved the problem and he had not experienced any further flap problems until the accident flight. ## Factual narrative The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted the runway during landing. The pilot reported that he deployed full flaps during the right turn from base leg to final approach. He stated that upon rolling out of the turn on final, he realized that the flaps were not symmetrically deployed. He added that the right flap was full down, but the left flap was only partially down. He attempted to raise the flaps; however, they became jammed asymmetrically. He stated that "as I rolled out for the flare, the left wing stalled and dropped sharply. I attempted to add power which only temporarily lifted the left wing. With the right wing generating significant lift and the left wing not, a steep left turn and loss of control resulted." A post accident examination confirmed flap system continuity. In addition, the flap actuator motor operated when electrical power was applied. Impact damage precluded an exact measurement of the flap deflections and rigging. The pilot noted that he had experienced an asymmetric extension and jammed flap situation in September 2006. He reported that in that instance he had maintained additional airspeed on approach and landed safely. Records indicated that on September 8, 2006, maintenance personnel "tightened the connections for the flap switch" and "neutralized the flaps [and] adjusted for level flight when extended." The most recent annual inspection was completed on September 1, 2006. During the inspection, the inboard flap hinge brackets were found to be loose and were tightened. Records related to the prior annual inspection dated August 1, 2005, noted that "the right flap was found to be 2 degrees lower that the left flap." The entry indicated that the flaps were rigged to neutral. He reported that he had not experienced any further flap problems after the maintenance until the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N202WB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N202WB-2007-02-26), registration cancelled 2007-02-26, S/N 24-0261, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20J - Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-0261 - Airframe hours: 3902 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2006 - Departed: 15G, Wadsworth, OH - Destination: CAK, Akron, OH - Airport: CAK, Akron-Canton Regional, runway 19, 7,601 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 1,356 total, 384 in this make and model, 1,356 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 7 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: CAK ## 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 20061114029419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061114029419A), Nov 14, 2006: Mooney M20J, Akron, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot lost control of aircraft during landing at cak and crashed between rwy 19 and twy bravo next to B1 int. Cak radar tracking data indicate aircraft… ## Other investigations on N202WB (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 NYC93LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA180), Aug 28, 1993: Mooney M20J (N202WB), Kelley'S Island, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor was the pilot's inadequate handling of the airplane. 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.