# NTSB FTW96LA381: Mooney M20J, N311SM, Biscoe, AR, September 7, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 7, 1996, 12:59 local (17:59 UTC) - Place: Biscoe, AR - Coordinates: 34.899719, -91.420486 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8997&lon=-91.4205&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 2, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19975 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA381 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19975/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA381 ## Probable cause Binding of the flight control system for an undetermined reason. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - flight control system - undetermined (cause) - flight control system - binding(mechanical) (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight at 1,500 feet agl when he 'started feeling hard left pushing on the plane.' The airplane 'wanted to drop the left wing,' and the pilot turned the yoke to the right to counteract this tendency. The airplane began to 'pull downward,' and the pilot applied back pressure on the yoke. As the pilot continued to 'apply hard pressure' to the yoke, he heard a 'pop in the dashboard' and 'thought that something had gave way,' so he turned the airplane to the left to head back towards an open area. He partially extended the flaps, lowered the landing gear, and attempted to make an emergency landing on a road, but overshot the road and touched down in a soybean field. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a row of trees at the edge of the field. Control system continuity from the control surfaces to the cockpit controls was confirmed for the elevator, ailerons, and rudder. All cockpit instrumentation, radio equipment, and the associated tubing and wiring were destroyed by the post-crash fire; therefore, it was not possible to determine if any of these items had interfered with the operation of the flight controls. ## Factual narrative On September 7, 1996, at 1259 central daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N311SM, registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91, impacted trees during an emergency landing near Biscoe, Arkansas. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and the airplane was destroyed by a post-crash fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The airplane departed Carlisle, Arkansas, about 1220 for the local personal flight. The pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight at 1,500 feet agl when he "started feeling hard left pushing on the plane." The airplane "wanted to drop the left wing," and the pilot turned the yoke to the right to counteract this tendency. The airplane began to "pull downward," and the pilot applied back pressure on the yoke. He also applied nose up trim using the electric trim switch on the yoke, but this "didn't change anything." As the pilot continued to "apply hard pressure" to the yoke, he heard a "pop in the dashboard" and "thought that something had gave way," so he turned the airplane to the left to head back towards an open area. During the turn, the pilot noticed his horizontal situation indicator (HSI) was not turning, looked at the circuit breaker panel, and saw that the HSI circuit breaker had tripped. The pilot further reported that he partially extended the flaps, lowered the landing gear, and attempted to make an emergency landing on a road, but overshot the road and touched down in a soybean field. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a row of trees at the edge of the field. The pilot recalled hearing the electric fuel boost pump running after the airplane came to a stop and also hearing "popping and snapping" sounds coming from the engine compartment. He exited through the main cabin door, and the airplane caught fire. On October 10, 1996, the airplane was examined under the supervision of the NTSB investigator-in-charge at Air Salvage of Dallas in Lancaster, Texas. Control system continuity from the control surfaces to the cockpit controls was confirmed for the elevator, ailerons, and rudder. All cockpit instrumentation, radio equipment, and the associated tubing and wiring were destroyed by the post-crash fire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N311SM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N311SM-2007-06-29), registration cancelled 2007-06-29, S/N 24-0950, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20J - Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0-360-series) (registry code 41558, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-0950 - Airframe hours: 1604 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Terry L Mitchell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1996, 8 hours before - Departed: 4M3, CARLISLE, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,268 total, 630 in this make and model, 1,255 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19960907026719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960907026719A), Sep 7, 1996: Mooney M20J, Biscoe, AR, Substantial damage. Flight control problems in flight, rolled left, nose dropped, emergency landing in bean field, struck trees, burned (-23) on September 7, 1996, at 1259 central… 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.