# NTSB CHI99LA225: Mooney M20J, N201HG, Harbor Springs, MI, July 4, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 1999, 12:08 local (16:08 UTC) - Place: Harbor Springs, MI - Coordinates: 45.43058, -84.980781 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4306&lon=-84.9808&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46761 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA225 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46761/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA225 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and his failure to maintain clearance with the trees. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty winds, wind shear, and the trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane contacted the top of a tree while on final approach. The pilot was able to continue the approach and land the airplane in the grass alongside the runway. The pilot reported the airplane encountered wind shear approximately 1,000 feet from the end of the runway. He reported winds issued over the Unicom were from 270 degrees at 10 to 12 knots. Reported winds 12 miles northeast of the airport were from 240 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 22 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 1999, at 1208 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N201HG, collided with trees and the terrain while on final approach to land on runway 28 at the Harbor Springs Airport, Harbor Springs, Michigan. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Wheeling, Illinois, at 0908 central daylight time. The pilot reported that he was informed by the Harbor Springs Unicom that the winds were from 270 degrees at 10 to 12 knots. He stated he flew the traffic pattern to land on runway 28. The pilot reported that the airplane was "buffeted" by winds while on final approach at an airspeed of 74 knots with full flaps extended. He continued to report, "At about 1,000 feet from the end of the runway we were hit by a wind shear (like a wall). The aircraft immediately dropped and moved to the left. I applied power and brought the nose up a little when all of a sudden we hit something (later saw it to be the top of a pine tree)." This resulted in the airplane traveling to the left of the extended centerline. He reported he reduced power and landed straight ahead in the grass off the left side of the runway. A short time later the pilot taxied the airplane to the ramp area. Winds reported at Pellston, Michigan (12 miles northeast of Harbor Springs) at 1152 edt, were from 240 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 22 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N201HG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N201HG), registered now, S/N 24-0232, built 1977 (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: 24-0232 - Airframe hours: 3508 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Arthur B. Mulligan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1999, 24 hours before - Departed: PWK, WHEELING, IL - Destination: D87 - Airport: D87, Harbor Springs, runway 28, 4,157 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,029 total, 225 in this make and model, 3,024 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 12 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PLN, 12 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 19990704017579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990704017579A), Jul 4, 1999: Mooney M20J, Harbor Springs, MI, Substantial damage. (.19)On July 4, 1999, at 1210 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N201HG, collided with trees and the terrain while on final approach to land on runway 28 at… 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.