# NTSB CHI91LA283: Mooney M20K, N9514R, Burlington, WI, August 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1991, 08:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Burlington, WI
- Coordinates: 42.670417, -88.269058 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6704&lon=-88.2691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15177
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA283
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15177/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA283

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S EXCEEDING THE AIRPLANE'S LICENSED GROSS WEIGHT AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF WITH THE AIRPLANE AT LEAST 190 POUNDS OVER THE AIRPLANE'S GROSS LICENSED WEIGHT IN GUSTY CROSSWINDS.  HE ESTIMATES HE REACHED AN ALTITUDE OF 100-200 FEET BUT WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE AIRPLANE CLIMB ANY HIGHER.  HE SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND ELECTED TO LAND IN A SOYBEAN FIELD.  AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE AND AIRFRAME DISCLOSED NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL DEFECTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9514R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9514R-2022-12-03), registration cancelled 2022-12-03, S/N 25-0484, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20K
- Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-0484
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-GRI 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gillespie, Richard W.
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1991, 30 hours before
- Destination: NEW, NEW ORLEANS, LA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: C52, Burlington, runway 29, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,250 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 1,220 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 19 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKE, 22 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 19910831037609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910831037609A), Aug 31, 1991: Mooney M20K, Burlington, WI, Substantial damage. Settled into rough field on climbout. Reported power loss,none found. Warm day, over gross weight.

## Other investigations on N9514R (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 ERA21LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA222), May 20, 2021: Mooney M20K (N9514R), Dawson, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the No. 4 connecting rod bolt nut with a cotter pin, resulting in a total loss of engine power.

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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