# NTSB ERA24LA086: Mooney M20C, N5954Q, Morganton, NC, October 22, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 22, 2023, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Morganton, NC - Coordinates: 35.819809, -81.611685 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8198&lon=-81.6117&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193536 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193536/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193536 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA086 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and an impact with the runway’s precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights. ## 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 M20C, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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 M20C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and passenger reported that the airplane had undergone recent maintenance, and the purpose of flight was to perform a test flight. The first takeoff was made without issue and the pilot landed after performing two go-arounds in the traffic pattern. The pilot then taxied to the ramp and completed a visual inspection of the airplane. Subsequently, the pilot taxied for another takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the airplane began pulling and turning to the left, and despite the pilot’s control applications, the airplane departed the runway and its left wing collided with the runway’s precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights. The collision with the PAPI lights resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5954Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5954Q), registered now, S/N 3194, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C (NO SERIES EXISTS) - Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3194 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 3864 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 2023, 0 hours before - Airport: MRN, Foothills Regional Airport, runway 03/21, 5,500 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 8, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 116 total, 63 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 29; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 72 total, 2 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: MRN, 0.1 nm away - METAR: METAR KMRN 221825Z AUTO 35005KT 10SM CLR 21/05 A2995 RMK AO2 T02110052= ## 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 20231022021299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231022021299A), Oct 22, 2023: Mooney M20C, Morganton, NC, Substantial damage. On 10/22/2023 at approximately 1810 local time, a Mooney M20C sustained substantial damage after leaving the runway and striking the PAPI light system at… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 12, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193536. 6.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16901879&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Passenger - mechanic statement (item 2, PDF, 10 pages, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16909056&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Passenger%20-%20Mechanic%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 3, PDF, 7 pages, 6 photos, 952 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16909178&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos-Rel.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. --- 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.