# NTSB FTW90LA128: Mooney M-20E, N9376V, Luling, TX, June 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1990, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Luling, TX
- Coordinates: 29.679645, -97.640258 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6796&lon=-97.6403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23147
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23147/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA128

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL IN-FLIGHT DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED. FACTORS WOULD BE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE TREE THAT HE HIT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

FIELD ELEVATION WAS 550 FEET, AND DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 2,500 FEET. THE PILOT STALLED HIS AIRPLANE ON FINAL APPROACH TO HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP, WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER AND HIT A TREE AND THEN THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9376V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9376V-2013-03-19), registration cancelled 2013-03-19, S/N 700014, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 700014
- Airframe hours: 3760
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert B./Betty J. Sutherland
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1990, 17 hours before
- Airport: runway 14, 1,400 × 35 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 801 total, 15 in this make and model, 630 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 68 °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 19900629023139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900629023139A), Jun 29, 1990: Mooney M20E, Luling, TX, Substantial damage. Hot winds and gusty crosswind. Got high sink on final. Wing caught a dead tree causing crash. Too slow for gusts.

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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