# NTSB DEN99LA112: Mooney M20C, N6253U, Big Piney, WY, July 3, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 3, 1999, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Big Piney, WY - Coordinates: 42.53997, -110.109542 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5400&lon=-110.1095&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46701 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46701/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA112 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing touchdown. A related factor was the gusty crosswind. ## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - runway ## Analysis Prior to touching down on runway 13, a 'strong crosswind gust' caused the left wing of the aircraft to impact the runway. The nose went forward and the propeller also struck the runway. The aircraft then departed the runway onto an open dirt field. The pilot was able to slow the airplane down, steer it back onto the runway, and taxi to the ramp under the aircraft's own power. The pilot stated that the winds at the time he landed were from 220 degrees at 17 knots. The crosswind component at the time the aircraft landed was 17 knots. According to Mooney Aircraft Flight Test, the 1962 Mooney M20C Airplane Flight Manual does not provide maximum demonstrated crosswind component information because it was not required for FAA certification. ## Factual narrative On July 3, 1999, approximately 1330 mountain daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N6253U, owned and operated by Advantage Aviation, Inc., Wheat Ridge, Colorado, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing touchdown at Big Piney-Marbleton Airport, Big Piney, Wyoming. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. The aircraft was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and a VFR flight plan had been filed for the personal cross-country flight en route to Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson, Wyoming. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated from Jefferson County Airport, Broomfield, Colorado, at 1030. According to the pilot, while en route to Jackson Hole, he decided to land at Big Piney to refuel. Just prior to touching down on runway 13, a "strong crosswind gust" caused the left wing to impact the runway. The nose went forward and the propeller also struck the runway. The aircraft then departed the runway onto an open dirt field. The pilot was able to slow the airplane down, steer it back onto the runway, and taxi to the ramp under the aircraft's own power. At 1253, approximately 37 minutes prior to the accident, winds reported at the Big Piney airport were from 240 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts to 28 knots. According to the pilot, the winds at the time he landed were from 220 degrees at 17 knots. The crosswind component at the time the aircraft landed was 17 knots. According to Mooney Airplane Flight Test, the 1962 Mooney M20C Aircraft Flight Manual does not provide maximum demonstrated crosswind component information because it was not required for FAA certification. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6253U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6253U-2020-05-01), registration cancelled 2020-05-01, S/N 2092, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20C - Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (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: 2092 - Airframe hours: 8268 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Advantage Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 1999, 30 hours before - Departed: BJC, BROOMFIELD, CO - Destination: JAC, JACKSON, WY - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: BPI, Big Piney-Marbleton, runway 13, 6,803 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 164 total, 13 in this make and model, 164 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 20 knots, gusting 28 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BPI ## 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 19990703043599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990703043599A), Jul 3, 1999: Mooney M20C, Big Piney, WY, No damage. (-23) While encountering gusty crosswinds on landing the pilot failed to maintain directional control of the a/c. ## Other investigations on N6253U (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN00LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA137), Jul 22, 2000: Mooney M20C (N6253U), Longmont, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper fuel tank selector position resulting in fuel starvation and the ditch impacted during the landing roll. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to follow published… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.