# NTSB FTW04CA177: Mooney M20R, N9147H, Kerrville, TX, June 24, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 24, 2004, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Kerrville, TX - Coordinates: 29.976667, -99.085556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9767&lon=-99.0856&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Antonio, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 59567 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04CA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59567/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04CA177 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to compensate for existing wind conditions. Contributing factors were the gusty high winds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, landing - weather condition - sudden windshift - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, landing - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot was practicing approaches into the airport, planned a full stop and layover until the weather conditions improved at the destination airport. The pilot stated that the localizer approach for runway 30 was flown with the VASI lights indicating slightly high. The airplane was "established and stable" on the approach. The pilot noted that his speed over the threshold was 80 knots, and at touchdown his speed was approximately 75 knots. The airplane "ballooned" with the right wing rising about 30 degrees, and full power was applied with right aileron and rudder. The airplane was turning left and sinking as it was accelerating. It touched down on the left wheel and bounced in the grass left of the runway. The nose of the airplane was lowered in an attempt to gain speed, but recovery from the left turn was not possible with the limited altitude. The pilot added that he appeared to have made the approach "into a localized microburst caused by unstable air in the area." Witnesses at the airport reported that "dramatic wind shifts" and gusty winds prevailed at the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed structural damage to the left wing. The automated weather service at Kerrville Municipal Airport (KERV), at 1525, reported the wind from 240 degrees at 6 knots, 10 statute miles visiblity, scattered ceiling at 8,000 feet, ceiling broken at 9,000 feet, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.02 inches of Mercury. The temperature was 77 degrees Fahrenheit, and the dew point was 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The remarks reported lightning distant south. ## Factual narrative On June 24, 2004, at 1515 central daylight time, a Mooney M20R single-engine airplane, N9147H, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during a landing at Kerrville Municipal Airport (ERV), near Kerrville, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by one of the co-owners. The private pilot was 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 flight departed San Antonio, Texas, at 1230. The pilot reported on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (6120.1/2 NTSB Form), that following his departure from Castroville, San Antonio Approach Control was heard vectoring aircraft landing at San Antonio around weather that was developing in the area. The pilot had planned a full stop at ERV, and a layover until the weather conditions improved at San Antonio. He stated that the localizer approach for runway 30 was flown with the VASI lights indicating slightly high. The airplane was "established and stable" on the approach. The pilot noted that his speed over the threshold was 80 knots, and at touchdown his speed was approximately 75 knots. The airplane "ballooned" with the right wing rising about 30 degrees, and full power was applied with right aileron and rudder. The airplane was turning left and sinking as it was accelerating. It touched down on the left wheel and bounced in the grass left of the runway. The nose of the airplane was lowered in an attempt to gain speed, but recovery from the left turn was not possible with the limited altitude. The pilot added that he appeared to have made the approach "into a localized microburst caused by unstable air in the area." Witnesses at the airport reported that "dramatic wind shifts" and gusty winds prevailed at the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed structural damage to the left wing. The automated weather service at Kerrville Municipal Airport (KERV), at 1525, reported the wind from 240 degrees at 6 knots, 10 statute miles visiblity, scattered ceiling at 8,000 feet, ceiling broken at 9,000 feet, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.02 inches of Mercury. The temperature was 77 degrees Fahrenheit, and the dew point was 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The remarks reported lightning distant south. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9147H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9147H-2006-04-07), registration cancelled 2006-04-07, S/N 29-0143, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20R - Registry model: [Mooney M20R](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20r) (registry code 5870225) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 29-014 3 - Airframe hours: 406.2 - Engines: Continental IO-550 G5B 280 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronald Chirstesson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 2003, 406.2 hours before - Departed: SAT, San Antonio, TX - Destination: Kerrville, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 272 total, 63 in this make and model, 187 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: ERV ## 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 20040624013239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040624013239A), Jun 24, 2004: Mooney M20R, Kerrville, TX, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot was performing a go-around after overshooting the runway. The wind shifted or gusted causing the left wheel and then the wing tip to strike 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.