# NTSB ERA12CA413: Mooney M10, N9542V, Hurlock, MD, June 24, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 24, 2012, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Hurlock, MD
- Coordinates: 38.679721, -75.860557 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6797&lon=-75.8606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84070
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA413
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84070/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84070
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA413

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines during final approach to landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=5872018), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=5872018), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=5872018), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5872018), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he entered the airport traffic pattern for landing at the private airstrip. Aware of the unmarked power lines at the runway threshold, he used the top of one of the poles supporting the lines as a reference for altitude. After clearing the top of the pole, the pilot steepened his descent in order to land, but realized that additional power lines were still in the airplane’s flight path. The pilot applied full engine power in an attempt to clear the power lines, but the airplane’s landing gear struck the lines, and the airplane pitched downward. The airplane impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

***This report was modified on October 29, 2012. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.*** The pilot stated that he was in the airport traffic pattern prior to landing at the private airstrip. Aware of the unmarked power lines at the runway threshold, he used the top of the tower as a reference for altitude. After clearing the top of the tower, the pilot steepened his descent in order to land, but realized that additional power lines were still in the airplane’s flight path. The pilot applied full engine power in an attempt to clear the power lines, but the airplane’s landing gear struck the lines, and the airplane pitched downward. The airplane impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the right wing, and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9542V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9542V-2014-07-14), registration cancelled 2014-07-14, S/N 700032, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M10
- Registry model: [Mooney M10](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m10) (registry code 5872018) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 700032
- Airframe hours: 1812
- Engines: CONT MOTOR C90 SERIES 95 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Matthew D. Sommer
- Registered owner: Matthew D. Sommer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 2012, 17 hours before
- Departed: 0W3, Aldino, MD
- Destination: Hurlock, MD
- Airport: N/A, Private Airstrip, runway 09, 2,500 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 5, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 210 total, 120 in this make and model, 158 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: ESN, 14 nm away

## 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 20120624010659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120624010659A), Jun 24, 2012: Mooney M10, Federalsburg, MD, Destroyed. Pilot was attempting to land at 7MD1, when he hit the power lines at the end of the rwy. The aircraft impacted the ground 163 feet from the power lines and…

## Docket (8 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84070. 2.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 520 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371813&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 192 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371578&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF
- Report from the FAA (item 3, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371816&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Report%20from%20the%20FAA-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Statement (item 4, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371817&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record Conversation (witness) (item 5, .PDF, 190 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371577&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20Conversation%20(witness)-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 6, .PDF, 363 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371575&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - View of airplane wreckage (Landowner) (item 7, .PDF, 938 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371579&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20View%20of%20airplane%20wreckage%20(Landowner)-Master.PDF
- October 29, 2012 Revision to Factual Report (item 8, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380249&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=October%2029,%202012%20Revision%20to%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF

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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