# NTSB CHI07CA270: Mooney M20J, N201LE, Chesterfield, MO, August 9, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 8, 2007, 20:30 local (Aug 9, 2007, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Chesterfield, MO
- Coordinates: 38.661945, -90.653335
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6619&lon=-90.6533&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66807
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA270
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66807/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA270

## Probable cause

The pilot failed to maintain directional control while taxiing after landing.  A factor was the runway sign.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway sign(s) - other (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The airplane departed a taxiway and struck an airport sign.  The pilot reported that he was anxious to clear the runway after landing on runway 26L since he knew that another airplane was behind him for landing.  He exited the runway at the first available taxiway.  He reported that he thought the taxiway intersected the runway at a 90-degree angle, but it actually was a high-speed taxiway for landing aircraft from the opposite direction on runway 8R.  He reported that the airplane departed the taxiway and struck the airport sign.

## Factual narrative

The airplane received substantial damage to the wing ribs when it departed a taxiway and struck an airport sign.  The pilot reported that he was anxious to clear the runway after landing on runway 26L since he knew that another airplane was behind him for landing.  He exited the runway at the first available taxiway.  He reported that he thought the taxiway intersected the runway at a 90-degree angle, but it actually was a high-speed taxiway for landing aircraft from the opposite direction on runway 8R.  He reported that the airplane departed the taxiway and struck the airport sign.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N201LE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N201LE), registered now, S/N 24-0480, built 1978 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0480
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Goddard Group LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LUK, Cincinnati, OH
- Destination: SUS, Chesterfield, MO
- Airport: SUS, Spirit of St Louis Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 913 total, 262 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20070808015469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070808015469A), Aug 8, 2007: Mooney M20J, St Louis, MO, Minor damage. (-23) After a night landing, the pilot exited the runway on a reverse high-speed taxiway. The pilot mistook this for a standard 90 degree taxiway and departed…

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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