# NTSB DEN99LA133: Mooney M20F, N9390V, Montrose, CO, July 31, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 1999, 11:02 local (17:02 UTC) - Place: Montrose, CO - Coordinates: 38.489871, -107.870941 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4899&lon=-107.8709&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 13, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47004 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47004/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA133 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation and his failure to maintain clearance from the signpost. A factor was the signpost. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - roadway/highway - object - sign (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was in the process of flying his airplane (which had just undergone an annual inspection) from Evanston, Wyoming, to Durango, Colorado. While en route, an abnormally high temperature was registered on the cylinder head temperature gauge, and the engine began to run rough. The pilot made a precautionary landing on a State highway. The airplane struck several T-posts, denting the leading edge and tearing the bottom of the left wing in two places. A mechanic from a nearby airport made temporary repairs, and a ferry permit was obtained from FAA's Flight Standards District Office. Law enforcement officers would not permit the pilot to take off on the State highway, but would allow him to take off from an intersecting county road. The road was narrow, with powerlines alongside the road and crossing at irregular intervals. The pilot examined the roadway and determined he could depart safely. Traffic was halted in both directions. During the takeoff roll, the airplane's left wing struck a 4'x4' post supporting a speed limit sign. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 1999, at 1102 mountain daylight time, a Mooney M20F, N9390V, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during takeoff near Montrose, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, sustained a serious injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating when the accident occurred and the intended destination was Durango, Colorado. According to the pilot's accident report, the airplane had just received an annual inspection in Evanston, Wyoming. On July 26, he took off from Evanston to return the airplane to its home base in Durango, Colorado. While en route, an abnormally high temperature was registered on the cylinder head temperature gauge, and the engine began to run rough. The pilot made a precautionary landing on Colorado Highway 141. The airplane struck several T-posts, denting the leading edge and tearing the bottom of the left wing in two places. A mechanic from Montrose Regional Airport was summoned and temporary repairs were made. A permit obtained from FAA's Flight Standards District Office in Salt Lake City, Utah, allowed the pilot to ferry the airplane to Durango. According to the pilot, law enforcement officers would not permit him to take off on Colorado Highway 141, but would allow the takeoff from an intersecting county road. The pilot said the road was narrow with powerlines alongside the road and crossing at irregular intervals. He examined the roadway and determined he could depart safely. Traffic was halted in both directions. During the takeoff roll, the airplane's left wing struck a 4"x4" post supporting a speed limit sign. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9390V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9390V-2018-08-10), registration cancelled 2018-08-10, S/N 700019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20F - Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 700019 - Airframe hours: 2100 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William Leland - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 1999, 3 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: DRO, DURANGO, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 651 total, 407 in this make and model, 447 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MTJ ## 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 19990731018359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990731018359A), Jul 31, 1999: Mooney M20F, Montrose, CO, Substantial damage. (.19)On July 31, 1999, approximately 1030 mountain daylight time, a Mooney M20F, N9390V, registered to and operated by the pilot was substantially damaged… ## Other investigations on N9390V (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 IAD71FLJ20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD71FLJ20), Apr 18, 1971: Mooney M20F (N9390V), Pinehurst, NC, substantial damage 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.