# NTSB DEN84FA042: Mooney M20J, N1151N, Bismarck, ND, December 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 14, 1983, 18:41 local (Dec 15, 1983, 00:41 UTC)
- Place: Bismarck, ND
- Coordinates: 46.82048, -100.700218 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8205&lon=-100.7002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16187
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16187/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA042

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - frozen (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,tire - failure,total (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) not operating
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - exterior light(s) - switched off
  - landing lights - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, driver of vehicle (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT OF N1151N REPORTED THAT THE DEPARTURE ARPT HAD SOME DRIFTING SNOW WHICH CAUSED THE R BRAKE TO FREEZE AFTER TAKEOFF. WHEN THE ACFT WAS LANDED, THE R TIRE SLID UNTIL IT WORE THRU, THEN DEFLATED. THE PLT STOPPED THE ACFT ON THE RWY, INFORMED TOWER PSNL OF THE SITUATION & ASKED THEM TO SEND SOMEONE TO HELP. IN THE MEANTIME, A BOEING 737 TAXIED TO THE RWY. WHILE TAXIING, THE BOEING AIRCREW NOTED THE SILHOUETTE OF THE DISABLED ACFT, BUT DID NOT NOTICE ANY LIGHTS. THEY CONTINUED TAXIING TO THE RWY, MOVED INTO POSITION FOR TAKEOFF, BUT HELD WHILE WAITING FOR N1151N TO BE REMOVED FROMTHE RWY. THE PLT OF N115LN SAID HE LEFT HIS LIGHTS ON UNTIL HE SAW THE GND SVC VEHICLE, THEN TURNED THEM OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS 'ALMOST TO US.' THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS REPORTED THAT THE TOWER HAD ASKED THEM TO 'HURRY UP' & SAID THEY WERE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH. AS THEY PROCEEDED DOWN THE RWY, THEY SAW THE ROTATING BEACON OF THE BOEING 737, WHICH THEY THOUGHTWAS N1151N. THEY DID NOT SEE N1151N UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE HIT THE ACFT'S L WING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1151N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1151N), registered now, S/N 24-1228, built 1981 (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
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Alfred C Pietsch, doing business as Pietsch Flying Service
- Departed: FAR, FARGO, ND
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: Bismarck Muni, runway 31, 8,788 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 6,000 total, 3,080 in this make and model, 190 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 14 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIS

## 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 19831214064159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831214064159A), Dec 14, 1983: Mooney M20J, Bismarck, ND, Substantial damage. Ground vehicle struck aircraft which was stranded on runway due to blown tire.

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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