# NTSB FTW90LA052: Mooney M20K, N5792M, Mineola, TX, January 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1990, 19:30 local (Jan 11, 1990, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Mineola, TX
- Coordinates: 32.659984, -95.479507 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6600&lon=-95.4795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23092
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23092/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA052

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT ON THE RUNWAY SURFACE.  RELATED FACTORS WERE: DARKNESS AND PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE LIGHTING SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - light condition - bright night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

BEFORE LANDING AT NIGHT, THE PILOT MADE SEVERAL PASSES OVER THE UNFAMILIAR AIRPORT NOTING THAT ONE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY EDGE LIGHTING WAS INOPERATIVE. HE LANDED THE AIRCRAFT AND IT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE LAST 1/3 OF THE RUNWAY. HE THEN VEERED THE AIRCRAFT OFF THE RUNWAY SURFACE TO AVOID HITTING A BARRIER THAT EXTENDED ACROSS THE DEPARTURE END. THE PILOT WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND A DIRT BANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5792M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20K
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-0856
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Elkin Aviation, Inc.
- Departed: E11, ANDREWS, TX
- Airport: 3F9, Mineola Wisener, runway 17, 3,197 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 444 total, 64 in this make and model, 252 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900110000529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900110000529A), Jan 10, 1990: Mooney M20K, Mineola, TX, Substantial damage. Made 3 passes at airport to locate runway,on 3rd pass landed last third of runway. Skidded off end into embankment.

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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