# NTSB DEN01LA014: Mooney M20J, N201JP, Longmont, CO, November 13, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 13, 2000, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Longmont, CO - Coordinates: 40.169658, -105.209556 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1697&lon=-105.2096&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 1, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50625 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN01LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50625/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA014 ## Probable cause the total failure of the left main gear strut during the landing roll. A contributing factor was the 6-foot high snow bank that the airplane impacted when it left the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear strut - failure,total (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command(cfi) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis The flight was a rental check out. The flight instructor said that they approached the runway to practice some touch and go landings. He said that the student was flying the airplane, and that the approach was uneventful. The flight instructor said that as soon as the airplane was on the ground, it turned sharply to the left. The student said that the flight instructor took control of the airplane, but he could not prevent its departure from the runway. The airplane impacted a 6-foot high snow bank. Postaccident investigation revealed that the left main landing gear had separated from the airplane immediately upon touch down. Examination of its strut revealed that it was corroded approximately 1/3 of the way through. ## Factual narrative On November 13, 2000, at approximately 1100 mountain standard time, a Mooney M20J, N201JP, was substantially damaged during landing at Vance Brand Airport, Longmont, Colorado. The flight instructor and private pilot receiving instruction both received minor injuries. The airplane was being operated by Jeffco Flight School, Broomfield, Colorado, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight that originated from Broomfield, Colorado, approximately 30 minutes before the accident. The flight instructor had not filed a flight plan. The flight instructor said that the flight was a rental check out. He said that after 30 minutes of air work, they approached Longmont's airport for some touch and go landings. He said that the student was flying the airplane, and that the approach was uneventful. The flight instructor said that as soon as the airplane was on the ground, it turned sharply to the left. The student said that the flight instructor took control of the airplane, but he could not prevent its departure from the runway. The airplane impacted a 6-foot high snow bank and bent the left wing up, approximately 5 feet from the tip. Postaccident investigation revealed that the left main landing gear had separated from the airplane immediately upon touch down. Examination of its strut revealed that it was corroded approximately 1/3 of the way through. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N201JP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N201JP), registered now, S/N 24-0215, 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 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-0215 - Airframe hours: 2900 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jeffco Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2000, 20 hours before - Departed: BJC, BROOMFIELD, CO - Destination: 2V2 - Airport: 2V2, Vance Brand Airport, runway 29, 4,700 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 460 total, 257 in this make and model, 392 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 87 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FNL, 18 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 20001113022889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001113022889A), Nov 13, 2000: Mooney M20J, Longmont, CO, No damage. (-23) Upon landing, left gear failed at junction of wheel spindle. The assembly separated from landing gear, and a/c slid off runway on remaining stub of gear… 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.