# NTSB CHI98LA042: Mooney M20K, N252A, Eden Prairie, MN, November 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 20, 1997, 18:50 local (Nov 21, 1997, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Eden Prairie, MN - Coordinates: 44.919471, -93.399383 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9195&lon=-93.3994&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10786 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10786/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA042 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper decision to continue the approach beyond decision height, when he could not see the runway; and his attempt to land without being properly aligned on the runway. Factors relating to this accident were: darkness, fog and and runway lights. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - object - runway light (contributing factor) - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was flying an ILS approach to runway 9R at Flying Cloud Airport, Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The weather was 300 feet overcast with a visibility of 1/2 mile in fog and mist. The pilot leveled off 'a few feet above decision height after flying the glideslope.' He said that he had trouble finding the runway lights due to the limited visibility. The pilot said that when he did see the lights, he was beyond the threshold of the runway and was not lined up properly with the center of the runway. The airplane touched down off the right edge of the runway striking several runway lights during the landing roll. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On November 20, 1997, at 1850 central standard time (cst), a Mooney M20K, N252A, operated by a private pilot sustained substantial damage when on landing, the airplane struck seven runway lights at Flying Cloud Airport, Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91. An IFR flight plan was on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The cross-country flight originated at Buffalo, New York, at 1700 eastern standard time (est). In his written statement, the pilot said that he was executing the ILS to runway 09R at Flying Cloud Airport. The pilot described the weather as a ceiling of 300 feet overcast with a visibility of 1/2 mile in fog and mist. The pilot leveled off "a few feet above decision height after flying the glideslope." He said that he had trouble finding the runway lights due to the limited visibility. The pilot said that when he did see the lights, he was beyond the threshold of the runway and was not lined up properly with the center of the runway. The pilot touched down off the right edge of the runway striking several runway lights during the landing roll. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane at Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The airplane showed upward crushing to the lower right side of the bottom fuselage between the wings. The carry-through spar and control rods, between the wings, showed upward bending. The right forward landing gear door and exhaust muffler were bent inward and aft. The left main landing gear door was bent outboard and aft. One propeller blade showed some minor nicks and scratches on the leading edge approximately 6 inches inboard of the tip. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Examination of the engine, engine controls and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N252A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N252A), registered now, S/N 25-1011 (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: 25-1011 - Airframe hours: 2500 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-NB17 305 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William & Marilyn Baldwin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 24, 1997, 32 hours before - Departed: 9G0, BUFFALO, NY - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: FCM, Flying Cloud, runway 9R, 3,909 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,700 total, 1,244 in this make and model, 1,680 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark - Wind: 210° at 5 knots - Visibility: 0.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast - Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FCM, 1 nm away 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.