# NTSB ERA13CA172: Mooney M20J, N3545H, Springfield, TN, March 16, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 16, 2013, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Springfield, TN
- Coordinates: 36.536666, -86.921112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5367&lon=-86.9211&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 7, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 86439
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86439/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86439
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA172

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while landing in gusting wind conditions.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, and as corroborated by the pilot-rated passenger, the pilot first completed two touch-and-go landings with wind at 14 knots, gusting to 22 knots directly down the runway. The pilot then attempted a third landing and, approaching the touchdown point, the airplane yawed 30 to 45 degrees to the right, then back to the left of centerline. It subsequently rolled to the left, the left wing tip impacted the ground, and the pilot added full power. The airplane continued to the left, the pilot reduced power, and the airplane settled into the grass. It then skidded across a ramp and impacted a hangar and a fuel pump. Photographs revealed substantial damage to the outboard leading edge of the left wing and a left-arcing runway scrape mark toward the hangar. The pilot reported no preexisting mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported 4,900 hours of flight time, but only 97 hours in the accident airplane and the rest in helicopters. According to the pilot, and as supplemented by the pilot-rated passenger, the pilot first completed two touch and go landings with winds at 14, gusting to 22 knots directly down the runway. The pilot then attempted a third landing, and approaching the touchdown point, the airplane yawed 30 to 45 degrees to the right, then back to the left of centerline. It subsequently rolled to the left, the left wing tip impacted the ground, and the pilot added full power. The airplane continued to the left, the pilot reduced power, and the airplane settled into the grass. It then skidded across a ramp and impacted a hangar and a fuel pump. Photographs revealed substantial damage to the outboard leading edge of the left wing, and a left-arcing runway scrape mark toward the hangar. They also revealed that once the airplane had come to rest, only the outboard portion of the right wing and the nose had impacted any structures. Neither pilot reported any preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3545H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3545H), registered now, S/N 24-1036 (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 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1036
- Engines: LYCOMING IO360 SER A&C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Waite
- Registered owner: G & W Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: M91, Springfield, TN
- Destination: M91, Springfield, TN
- Airport: M91, Springfield - Robertson County, runway 22, 5,505 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 9, 2012; flight hours: 4,900 total, 97 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 14 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observed at: M91

## 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 20130316003839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130316003839A), Mar 16, 2013: Mooney M20J, Springfield, TN, Substantial damage. The pilot was completing a third touch and go with gusty winds, 220@14G22, on runway 22. The aircraft yawed right 30-45 degrees, then back to the centerline.…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86439. 988 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 613 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391003&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391004&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot-Rated Passenger Statement (item 3, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391005&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot-Rated%20Passenger%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - FAA Inspector Pointing out Wingtip Runway Scrape (Courtesy FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391366&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Pointing%20out%20Wingtip%20Runway%20Scrape%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Airplane Against Hangar (Courtesy FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391368&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Airplane%20Against%20Hangar%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - Left Wingtip (Courtesy FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391369&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Left%20Wingtip%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 - Right Wing (Courtesy FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391370&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Right%20Wing%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-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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