# NTSB FTW00LA037: Mooney M20C, N6766U, Hillsboro, TX, November 28, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 28, 1999, 09:34 local (15:34 UTC) - Place: Hillsboro, TX - Coordinates: 31.999156, -97.109321 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9992&lon=-97.1093&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47820 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47820/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA037 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the go-around. A factor was the gust of wind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The airplane impacted trees and terrain when the pilot failed to maintain directional control of the airplane during a go-around from a private airstrip. The pilot reported that while landing, the airplane touched down past his desired touchdown point, and the airplane was 'rolling pretty fast.' The pilot elected to abort the landing and initiated a go-around. During the initial climb, a gust of wind lifted the right wing 'causing [the airplane] to turn left striking trees' located at the departure end of the airstrip. The airplane came to rest inverted. ## Factual narrative On November 28, 1999, at 0934 central standard time, a Mooney M20C airplane, N6766U, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree and terrain during a go-around from a private grass airstrip near Hillsboro, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot was seriously injured, and his pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from Midland Airpark Airport, Midland, Texas, at 0724. In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that he attempted an approach to the private airstrip with the landing gear and flaps fully extended. He stated that he was going to "drag the field" in an attempt to ascertain the winds and runway conditions. The pilot noted that the wind was from the south and initiated a go-around. The pilot elected to leave the landing gear extended; however, he attempted to retract the flaps during the initial climb, but found that they would not retract. On the second approach, the pilot attempted to slow down the airplane for landing. He stated that the airplane touched down past his desired touchdown point, and the airplane was "rolling pretty fast." He informed his passenger that they were going around. The pilot applied power and the airplane lifted off of the ground, clearing a fence at the end of the airstrip. The pilot reported that a gust of wind lifted the right wing "causing [the airplane] to turn left striking trees." The left wing impacted trees at the departure end of the airstrip, and the airplane impacted the ground nose low, coming to rest inverted. The pilot-rated passenger stated that the second attempt to land was "long." He added that it was obvious that the airplane was not going to stop prior to the fence, and the pilot initiated the go-around. He reported that the airplane "drifted to the left, [and] the left wing hit a tree." At 0953, the weather observation facility at the Waco Regional Airport (located 27 miles south of the accident site) reported the wind from 200 degrees at 9 knots. According to the FAA inspector, who visited the accident site, the airplane came to rest inverted with the flaps extended. The left wing, firewall, forward fuselage, and vertical stabilizer were structurally damaged, and the propeller was separated from the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6766U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6766U-2000-09-05), registration cancelled 2000-09-05, S/N 2488 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20C - Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2488 - Airframe hours: 4730 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth O. Gilkerson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 1999, 217 hours before - Departed: MDD, MIDLAND, TX - Destination: NONE - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: NONE, Circle S Ranch, runway 15, 1,650 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 420 total, 359 in this make and model, 358 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ACT, 27 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 19991128043889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991128043889A), Nov 28, 1999: Mooney M20C, Hillsboro, TX, No damage. (-23) On November 28, 1999, at 0930 CST, a Mooney 20C co-owned by kenneth gilkerson the pilot-in-command, and james blaylock the passenger, crashed after… ## Other investigations on N6766U (1) 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 OAK66F0198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK66F0198), Mar 7, 1966: Mooney M21 (N6766U), Sacramento, CA, 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.