# NTSB DEN03LA086: Mooney M20K, N231JM, Colorado Sprngs, CO, May 24, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 23, 2003, 21:53 local (May 24, 2003, 03:53 UTC) - Place: Colorado Sprngs, CO - Coordinates: 38.800834, -104.699996 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8008&lon=-104.7000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57061 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57061/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA086 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper decision to land in the reported crosswind conditions, and his failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the crosswind, rough terrain, airport stop sign, and fence. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - sign (contributing factor) - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis The local METAR reported the winds at 130 degrees at 12 knots. The tower controller advised the pilot he could have the runway of his choice because the winds were variable. The pilot elected to land on runway 35R. When the pilot was on final approach, the controller advised the winds were variable between 080 and 090 degrees at 15 knots. During the flare, the airplane encountered two wind gusts from the right. The first gust pushed the aircraft to the left side of the runway. The pilot added power to go around. The second gust pushed the airplane further left and off the runway. The engine was developing full power and the airplane was accelerating, but it would not climb. He felt something "clip" the airplane, causing it to veer left. The pilot then reduced power, shut off the fuel, and attempted to stop the airplane. The airplane traveled across rough terrain, struck a stop sign on the service road between the runway and a taxiway, then struck a 10-foot chain link perimeter fence, collapsing the landing gear. The airplane came to rest 1/3-mile northwest from the runway. ## Factual narrative On May 23, 2003, at 2153 mountain daylight time, a Mooney M20K, N231JM, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during landing flare at Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Colorado. The private pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Scottsdale, Arizona, approximately 1800 Pacific daylight time. The Colorado Springs METAR (Aviation Routine Weather Report) that was in effect indicated the winds were from 130 degrees at 12 knots. The tower controller advised the pilot he could have the runway of his choice because the winds were variable. The pilot elected to land on runway 35R. When the pilot was on final approach for runway 35R, the controller advised the winds were variable between 080 and 090 degrees at 15 knots. According to the pilot, the airplane "received two large gusts from [the] right" during the landing flare. The first gust pushed the airplane to the left side of the runway, and he added power to go-around. The second gust hit the airplane and the pilot "found [they] were completely to the left of [the] runway." The engine was developing full power and the airplane was accelerating, but it would not climb. He felt something "clip" the airplane, causing it to veer left towards the northwest. The pilot then reduced power, shut off the fuel, and attempted to stop the airplane. The airplane traveled across rough terrain, struck a stop sign on the service road between runway 35R and Echo taxiway, then struck a 10 foot chain link perimeter fence, collapsing the landing gear, and came to rest 1/3-mile northwest from the runway. Three impact marks on each wing were the result of the collision with the fence: one inboard, another one-third of the way down the wing, and one at the tip of the wing. The vertical stabilizer struck a wire at the top of the fence and was torn. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N231JM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N231JM-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 25-0124, built 1979 (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: 25-0124 - Airframe hours: 3600 - Engines: Continental TSIO-360 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Skyways Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 2003, 50 hours before - Departed: SDL, Scottsdale, AZ - Destination: COS, Colorado Sprngs, CO - Airport: COS, Colorado Springs Municipal, runway 35R, 13,500 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 16, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 279 total, 54 in this make and model, 273 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 130° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: COS ## 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 20030523010469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030523010469A), May 23, 2003: Mooney M20K, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft attempted to land on runway 35R at cos. Pilot explained that after crossing threshold on speed and on centerline, aircraft began a flare; all… 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.