# NTSB FTW03LA007: Mooney M20K, N231QL, Port Sulphur, LA, October 6, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 6, 2002, 08:20 local (13:20 UTC) - Place: Port Sulphur, LA - Coordinates: 29.458333, -89.676666 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4583&lon=-89.6767&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (FSDO) - NTSB case key (mKey): 55834 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA007 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55834/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA007 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees during an attempted go-around. A factor was the wet runway condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - grass - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - go-around - attempted, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis The pilot over flew the grass runway and observed that the runway was wet; however, there were no hazards or standing water. The grass on the runway was approximately 8-10 inches high. He then made a second approach to the runway for a full-stop landing. He stated that the approach was a "standard short field approach," and that he flew the approach at 80 mph instead of the standard 90 mph. The airplane touched down, and the pilot began braking; however, the airplane did not slow down. The pilot then applied maximum braking and the airplane started to skid. The pilot abandoned the landing at midfield and applied full power to initiate a go-around. He stated that the airplane had "little or no directional control." During the initial climb the airplane "fishtailed and went to the left." As the pilot was attempting to maneuver the airplane back toward the runway centerline, approximately 15 feet agl, the left wing contacted a tree limb. Subsequently, the airplane pivoted to the left and collided with an embankment coming to rest upright. ## Factual narrative On October 6, 2002, at 0820 central daylight time, a Mooney M20K airplane, N231QL, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees during a go-around at the Birdwin Airport, Port Sulphur, Louisiana. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, and his two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Jackson International Airport, Jackson, Mississippi, at 0720, and was destined for the Birdwin Airport. According to the pilot, he over flew runway 03, a 2,200 foot long (60 feet wide) grass runway. He observed that the runway was wet; however, there were no hazards or standing water. He then made a second approach to the runway for a full-stop landing. He stated that the approach was a "standard short field approach," and that he flew the approach at 80 mph instead of the standard 90 mph. The pilot had calculated the stopping distance (over a 50-foot obstacle) to be 1,680 feet. The airplane touched down, and the pilot began braking; however, the airplane did not slow down. The pilot then applied maximum braking and the airplane started to skid. The pilot abandoned the landing at midfield and applied full power to initiate a go-around. He stated that the airplane had "little or no directional control." During the initial climb the airplane "fishtailed and went to the left." As the pilot was attempting to maneuver the airplane back toward the runway centerline, approximately 15 feet agl, the left wing contacted a tree limb. Subsequently, the airplane pivoted to the left and collided with an embankment coming to rest upright. The pilot added that the grass was approximately 8-10 inches high. The right wing spar and fuselage were damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N231QL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N231QL-2018-02-12), registration cancelled 2018-02-12, S/N 25-0361, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20K - Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-0361 - Engines: Lycoming TSIO-360-GB 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William K. Akins - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: JAN, Jackson, MS - Destination: 7LA1, Port Sulphur, LA - Airport: 7LA1, Birdwin, runway 03, 2,200 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: MSY, 30 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 20021006035069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021006035069A), Oct 6, 2002: Mooney M20K, Portsulphur, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 6, 2002, at 0830 a Mooney M20K, the pilot attempting a normal landing, the pilot used half the runway before the aircraft touched down. The… 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.