# NTSB FTW86LA081: Mooney M-10, N9538V, Abilene, TX, May 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1986, 16:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Abilene, TX
- Location: 32.4487° N, 99.7331° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Abilene, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4487&lon=-99.7331&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22021
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22021/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA081

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, dual student (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, dual student (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR RUNWAY 17 AT ELMDALE AIRPARK, ABILENE, TX, THE STUDENT PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHEN HE FLARED THE AIRCRAFT AND IT BEGAN TO DESCEND. THE STUDENT ATTEMPTED TO PULL BACK ON THE WHEEL, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO ENTER A STALL AT APPROXIMATELY FOUR OR FIVE FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. IT WASN'T UNTIL THIS POINT THAT THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK THE CONTROLS. WITHOUT SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND, SHORT OF RUNWAY 17.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9538V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9538V), registered now, S/N 700028, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-10
- Registry model: [Mooney M10](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m10) (registry code 5872018) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 700028
- Airframe hours: 1406
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C90-16F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Elmdale Airpark Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 12, 1985, 41 hours before
- Airport: 6F4, Elmdale Airpark, runway 17, 3,000 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 11,500 total, 15 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command, 129 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABI, 5 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 19860506016169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860506016169A), May 6, 1986: Univar M10, Abilene, TX, Substantial damage. CFI failed to increase power as high sink rate developed. Hard landing made.

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.