# NTSB FTW96LA114: Mooney M20M, N9167J, Alpine, TX, February 10, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1996, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Alpine, TX
- Coordinates: 30.359363, -103.659507 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3594&lon=-103.6595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19758
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19758/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA114

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a misjudged landing flare resulting in a hard landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

The landing flare was high and the aircraft dropped 10 to 12 feet for a hard landing. The airplane departed the runway striking a drainage ditch, collapsing the landing gear, and damaging the left wing spar.

## Factual narrative

On February 10, 1996, at 1000 central standard time, a Mooney M20M, N9167J, was substantially damaged during a hard landing near Alpine, Texas.  The private pilot and two passengers were not injured.  The airplane was being operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  The flight originated in Houston, Texas, at 0730.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the destination and an IFR flight plan was filed.

On the Pilot/Operator report, the pilot stated that, during the final approach, airspeed was maintained until near the threshold when power was reduced and the aircraft was flared for landing.  The flare was high and the aircraft dropped 10 to 12 feet for the hard landing.  Subsequently, the airplane departed the runway and struck a drainage ditch.  The propeller, landing gear, and left wing spar were damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9167J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9167J), registered now, S/N 27-0168, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Mooney M20M
- Registry model: [Mooney M20M](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20m) (registry code 5870222) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-0168
- Engines: Lycoming TSIO-540-AF1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Philip T. Hudgins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SGR, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: E38, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: E38, Alpine Municipal, runway 23, 5,016 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 658 total, 136 in this make and model, 565 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRP, 20 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 19960210001589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960210001589A), Feb 10, 1996: Mooney M20M, Alpine, TX, Substantial damage. Flared high for landing dropped 10FT to runway. Veered into ditch. Failed to add power and or go around. (-23) during long descending approach to Alpine, PIC…

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.