# NTSB DFW08CA171: Mooney M20, N1287X, Lake Ft Gibson, OK, June 29, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 29, 2008, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Lake Ft Gibson, OK - Coordinates: 35.930755, -95.139945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9308&lon=-95.1399&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68343 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68343/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA171 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control while maneuvering the aircraft. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain: water](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 97 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot, with one passenger on-board the airplane, was to practice maneuvers with the airplane. The pilot performed "lazy 8's, circles around-a-point, S-turns, and low-flight." While doing slow flight at full power and flaps deployed, the aircraft's right wing dropped; the pilot tried to correct the problem by lowering the nose and applying aileron and rudder. However, the pilot reported that the aircraft started to spin, and oscillate left-to-right. The pilot was not able to fully recover the aircraft before impacting the surface of a lake. Both the passenger and pilot were able to open the aircraft's door and exit the craft. ## Factual narrative The pilot, with one passenger on-board the airplane, was to practice maneuvers with the airplane. The pilot performed "lazy 8's, circles around-a-point, S-turns, and low-flight." While doing slow flight at full power and flaps deployed, the aircraft's right wing dropped; the pilot tried to correct the problem by lowering the nose and applying aileron and rudder. However, the pilot reported that the aircraft started to spin, and oscillate left-to-right. The pilot was not able to fully recover the aircraft before impacting the surface of a lake. Both the passenger and pilot were able to open the aircraft's door and exit the craft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1287X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1287X-2009-02-12), registration cancelled 2009-02-12, S/N 160, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20 - 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: 160 - Airframe hours: 2942 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2007 - Departed: H73, Tahlequah, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 357 total, 271 in this make and model, 87 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KTQH ## Other investigations on N1287X (2) 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 MKC71AK017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71AK017), Oct 3, 1970: Mooney M20E (N1287X), Enterprise, KS, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC66F0313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66F0313), Dec 8, 1965: Mooney M20E (N1287X), Bloomfield, NJ, 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.