# NTSB FTW98LA085: Mooney M20J, N201LG, Westport, OK, January 2, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 2, 1998, 16:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Westport, OK - Coordinates: 36.289836, -96.459693 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2898&lon=-96.4597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20511 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20511/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA085 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions. A factor was gusty winds. ## 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 - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - tree(s) ## Analysis After an uneventful 50-minute cross-country flight, the pilot entered the landing pattern and observed the windsock indicating winds from 190 at 10-15 knots. After a normal downwind, base, and final approach, and about 160 yards down the runway, the aircraft was about to touch down when it started to veer to the left. The pilot attempted to stabilize directional control by applying right rudder and adding power. A gust of wind then 'lifted the right wing to a 20 degree' bank and turned the aircraft further to the left, which aligned the nose of the airplane toward some tree tops. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the trees, and settled to the ground, upright, and nose low. The pattern was flown with 1/2 flaps selected on base and full flaps on final. The pilot said that the winds at the accident site were from 190 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 15 knots. Reported winds, 28 miles east of the accident site, were from 190 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 25 knots. Inspection of the wind sock showed that it was functioning properly. ## Factual narrative On January 2, 1998, at 1640 central standard time, a Mooney M20J airplane, N201LG, registered to and operated by the pilot, collided with trees following a loss of control while landing on runway 21 at Keystone Airpark, Westport, Oklahoma. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, which originated from Poteau, Oklahoma, at 1550. In a written statement, the pilot reported that after an uneventful 50 minute cross country flight, he entered the landing pattern at Keystone and observed the windsock which indicated winds from 190 at 10 to 15 knots. He reported that, after a normal downwind, base, and final approach, he crossed the threshold and approximately 160 yards down the runway, the aircraft was about to touchdown when it started to veer to the left. The pilot attempted to stabilize directional control by applying right rudder and adding power. He stated that, a gust of wind then "lifted the right wing to a 20 degree" bank and turned the aircraft further to the left, which aligned the nose of the airplane toward some tree tops. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the trees, and settled to the ground, upright, and nose low. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed that the fuselage and empennage were buckled, and the right wing was separated at the root. The pilot flew the standard VFR pattern with 1/2 flaps selected on base and full flaps on final. He reported the winds at the accident site to be from 190 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The reported winds at Tulsa, Oklahoma, located about 28 miles east of the accident site, were from 190 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 25 knots. Inspection of the wind sock after the accident showed that it was intact and functioning properly. Examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector after the accident did not reveal any preexisting control system anomalies that could have contributed to the accident. The pilot did not report any control problems with the aircraft during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N201LG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N201LG-2012-08-22), registration cancelled 2012-08-22, S/N 24-0460, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20J - Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-0460 - Airframe hours: 1723 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard L. Moore - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 23, 1995, 259 hours before - Departed: RKR, POTEAU, OK - Destination: 4F1, OK - Airport: NONE, Keystone Airpark, runway 21, 4,000 × 55 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,505 total, 2,100 in this make and model, 2,404 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 16 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TUL, 28 nm away 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.