# NTSB DEN88LA076: Mooney M20E, N6693R, Miles City, MT, February 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1988, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Miles City, MT
- Location: 46.4269° N, 105.8882° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FRANK WILEY FLD (MLS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4269&lon=-105.8882&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17453
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17453/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA076

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6693R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6693R-2013-07-23), registration cancelled 2013-07-23, S/N 436, 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: 436
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary L. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 1987
- Departed: BIS, BISMARCK, ND
- Airport: MLS, Frank Wiley Field, runway 22, 6,313 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,072 total, 104 in this make and model, 935 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 30 knots, gusting 37
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLS

## 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 19880221021739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880221021739A), Feb 21, 1988: Mooney M20E, Miles City, MT, Substantial damage. Gusty wind on flare for landing plus asymmetric fuel loading resulted in vertical bank and nose down impact.

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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