# NTSB DEN87FA159: Mooney M20A, N6060X, Reserve, NM, June 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1987, 16:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: Reserve, NM
- Coordinates: 33.70063, -108.760169 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7006&lon=-108.7602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17114
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17114/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA159

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FERRYING HIS ACFT FROM RESERVE AIRPORT, NM, TO JEWITT MESA AIRPORT, APACHE CREEK, NM. THERE WAS A MATURE THUNDERSTORM OVER THE NORTHERN MOUNTAIN RIDGE PRODUCING WHAT ONE WITNESS DESCRIBED AS WINDS 'REALLY BLOWING HARD.' SHE SAID SHE SAW THE ACFT CLIMB OVER THE TOPS OF THE TREES AND IT'S 'WINGS WERE WOBBLING.' ANOTHER WITNESS, DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY PARALLEL TO THE RWY, SAID HE PACED THE ACFT AS IT TOOK OFF ON RWY 06. HE SAID THE ACFT LIFTED OFF JUST BEYOND THE PARKING RAMP AND CLIMBED TO AN ESTIMATED 300 FT ALTITUDE. IT THEN BANKED TO THE LEFT, 'ITS WINGS BECAME VERTICAL AND THEN ITS NOSE IMMEDIATELY DROPPED.' POST-CRASH EXAM OF ACFT DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF AIRFRAME, ENG, PROP, OR FLT CONTROL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION OF THE PLT DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF INCAPACITATION OR IMPAIRMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6060X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6060X-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 1686, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20A
- Registry model: [Mooney M20A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20a) (registry code 5870204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1686
- Airframe hours: 3109
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David A. Piearcy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 1986, 200 hours before
- Destination: Q13, APACHE CREEK, NM
- Airport: Q16, Reserve, runway 6, 4,800 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 314 total, 174 in this make and model, 272 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SVC, 72 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 19870624026349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870624026349A), Jun 24, 1987: Mooney M20A, Reserve, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled on climbout and impacted near vertical. Pilot skill factor low from witness statements.

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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