# NTSB FTW85LA172: Mooney M20A, N8121E, Austin, TX, April 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1985, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Austin, TX
- Coordinates: 30.320356, -97.740753 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3204&lon=-97.7408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21714
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21714/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA172

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE 86 HR PRIVATE PLT LANDED AT A RANCH AND RAN OFF THE END OF THE RWY INTO ROUGH TERRAIN. A GO AROUND WAS NOT ATTEMPTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8121E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8121E-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 1392, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20A
- Registry model: [Mooney M20A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20a) (registry code 5870204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1392
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Texas Commercial Ins.Agency
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: T39, HUNTSVILLE, TX
- Airport: 5R3, Lago Vista, runway 15, 3,800 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 86 total, 14 in this make and model, 48 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850402011019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850402011019A), Apr 2, 1985: Mooney M20A, Austin, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft ran off end of runway during landing. Wing struck a mound of dirt as pilot tried to stop by making a turn.

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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