# NTSB CHI99LA273: Mooney M20B, N74523, Hayward, WI, July 26, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1999, 19:45 local (Jul 26, 1999, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Hayward, WI
- Coordinates: 46.010139, -91.479087 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0101&lon=-91.4791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46910
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA273
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46910/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA273

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the surface of the lake.  Factors associated with the accident were the low level flight, dusk light conditions, and the glassy water.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, maneuvering
  - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot flew a low approach over the lake, and at the end of the approach, he initiated a climbing left turn.  He reported that as he rolled to the left, the left wing contacted the surface of the lake.  The pilot reported that glassy water and the dusk light condition contributed to the event.  The pilot continued the flight and returned to his departure airport without further incident.

## Factual narrative

On July 25, 1999, at 1945 central daylight time, a Mooney M20B, N74523, was substantially damaged when the left wing contacted the waters of Lost Land Lake, Hayward, Wisconsin.  The pilot was maneuvering the airplane at a low altitude when the accident occurred.  The pilot and passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 flight.  The pilot was able to fly the airplane back to the Hayward Municipal Airport, Hayward, Wisconsin, where an uneventful landing was made.  The flight departed the Hayward, Municipal Airport at 1930 cdt, with an intended destination of Kenosha, Wisconsin.

The pilot reported he flew a low approach over the lake and at the end of the approach he initiated a climbing left turn.  He reported that as he rolled to the left, the left wing contacted the surface of the lake.

The pilot reported glassy water and dusk light condition contributed to making "...poor visual referenced reducing...[his]... depth perception."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74523](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74523-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 1834, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Mooney M20B
- Registry model: [Mooney M20B](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20b) (registry code 5870206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1824
- Airframe hours: 4563
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Todd M. Hansen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1999, 135 hours before
- Departed: HYR
- Destination: ENW, KENOSHA, WI
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken

## 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 19990725010639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990725010639A), Jul 25, 1999: Mooney M20B, Hayward, WI, Substantial damage. (Tty) acft made a pass over loss land lake, turned left, and the left wing struck the water, the acft landed at Hayward arpt with substantial damage, other…

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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