# NTSB DFW06CA144: Mooney M20J, N201XW, Wichita Falls, TX, May 30, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 29, 2006, 22:45 local (May 30, 2006, 04:45 UTC)
- Place: Wichita Falls, TX
- Coordinates: 33.863056, -98.495002
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8631&lon=-98.4950&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63781
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63781/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA144

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to compensate for existing wind conditions.  A contributing 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 - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

The 84-hour private pilot stated that during the landing flare, while at approximately 3 to 4 feet above the runway, a "strong burst of wind hit the aircraft from the left side raising the left wing and moving the aircraft to the right of the runway."  The pilot stated that he attempted to correct the rise in the left wing and abort the landing when the right wing impacted the ground.  The accident occurred on runway 17, which is 4,450-feet long and 75-feet wide.  At the time of the accident the weather observation facility located 5 miles from the accident site was reporting winds from 130 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 23 knots.

## Factual narrative

The 84-hour private pilot stated that during the landing flare, while at approximately 3 to 4 feet above the runway, a "strong burst of wind hit the aircraft from the left side raising the left wing and moving the aircraft to the right of the runway."  The pilot stated that he attempted to correct the rise in the left wing and abort the landing when the right wing impacted the ground.  The accident occurred on runway 17, which is 4,450-feet long and 75-feet wide.  At the time of the accident the weather observation facility located 5 miles from the accident site was reporting winds from 130 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 23 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N201XW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N201XW), registered now, S/N 24-0483, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Mooney M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0483
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: 201 LLC
- Registered owner: 201 LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: T47, Wichita Falls, TX
- Destination: T47, Wichita Falls, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 84 total, 24 in this make and model, 24 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night

## 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 20060529010399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060529010399A), May 29, 2006: Mooney M20J, Wichita Falls, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot attempted landing in a gusty crosswind condition. Attempted to go-around, right wing impacted the ground, the aircraft went off the runway to the…

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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