# NTSB DEN84LA109: Mooney M20E, N7134U, Las Vegas, NM, March 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1984, 09:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NM
- Coordinates: 35.590579, -105.219451 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5906&lon=-105.2195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16349
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16349/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA109

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE ENROUTE, THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND AT LAS VEGAS, NM & CHECK ON HIS DESTINATION WX. HE CALLED THE FSS WHEN THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 30 MI SOUTH OF LAS VEGAS & WAS ADVISED THAT THE WIND AT LAS VEGAS WAS FROM 230 DEG AT 20 KTS. HE SAID HE EXPERIENCED SEVERE TURBULENCE WHILE ON FINAL APCH FOR RWY 20. ALSO, HE SAID THAT ON FINAL, THIS AIRSPEED WAS SLIGHTLY FAST AT 90 MPH & THAT A 10 DEG CRAB WAS USED TO MAINTAIN RWY ALIGNMNENT. PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, HE USED RIGHT BANK & LEFT RUDDER. THE PLT STATED THAT JUST AS THE RIGHT WHEEL TOUCHED DOWN, A HUGE GUST BLEW THE ACFT TO THE LEFT OF THE RWY. HE ADDED POWER, BUT THE LANDING GEAR CONTACTED SAGEBRUSH. THE PLT THEN RETARDED THE POWER & THE ACFT CAME TO A STOP. THE WIND REPORTEDLY HAD GUSTED TO 30 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7134U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7134U), registered now, S/N 373, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 373
- Airframe hours: 3800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walden, David
- Registered owner: Walden, David
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1983
- Departed: TUSCON, AZ
- Destination: BOULDER, CO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LVS, Las Vegas, runway 20, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 183 total, 124 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 21 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LVS

## 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 19840316008169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840316008169A), Mar 16, 1984: Mooney M20E, Las Vegas, NM, Substantial damage. Pilot made hard landing in gusty wind conditions causing substantial damage to aircraft.

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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