# NTSB DEN85LA198: Mooney M20K, N3866H, Durango, CO, July 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1985, 15:12 local (21:12 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.270008, -107.879859 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2700&lon=-107.8799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16732
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16732/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA198

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ground
  - terrain condition - runway
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - runway light (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT PRIOR TO LANDING, THE UNICOM OPERATOR REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTHWEST AT 10 TO 20 KTS & WAS GUSTY. ALSO, HE SAID THAT WHILE ON BASE LEG, HE ENCOUNTERED A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT. HE STATED THAT HE APPLIED PWR & RETRACTED THE FLAPS TO ARREST THE SINK RATE. HOWEVER, THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK THE GROUND ABOUT 5 FT SHORT OF THE RWY, DAMAGED THE LANDING GEAR, COLLIDED WITH APCH/RWY LIGHTS & SLID ABOUT 170 ON ITS BELLY BEFORE COMING TO REST ON THE RWY. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT TANK WHICH WAS EMPTY. FUEL WAS STILL REMAINING IN THE LEFT TANK. ALSO, THE PROP BORE EVIDENCE OF LITTLE OR NO ROTATION AT IMPACT. ABOUT 8 MI EAST-SOUTHEAST AT THE LA PLATA ARPT, THE 1455 MDT WIND WAS FROM 020 DEG AT 5 KTS. THE DENSITY ALT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 8478 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3866H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20K
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-0447
- Airframe hours: 1250
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-GB1 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Holt Sheet Metal, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 1985, 22 hours before
- Departed: SAF, SANTE FE, NM
- Airport: 5000, Animas, runway 1, 5,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,185 total, 300 in this make and model, 103 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRO, 8 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 19850722037499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850722037499A), Jul 22, 1985: Mooney M20K, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. Hit hard short of runway. Pilot claims downdraft was the cause, but fuel selector on right tank that was empty.

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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