# NTSB GAA17CA412: Mooney M20C, N9303V, Washington Island, WI, July 15, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 15, 2017, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Washington Island, WI
- Coordinates: 45.387779, -86.922775 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3878&lon=-86.9228&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 27, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95591
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA412
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95591/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95591
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA412

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path, which resulted in impact with trees.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During the final approach for landing, the airplane was too low and struck trees short of the runway threshold, spun about 180°, and then impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report.

## Factual narrative

During the final approach for landing, the airplane was too low and struck trees short of the runway threshold, spun about 180° then impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot failed to submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9303V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9303V-2018-10-27), registration cancelled 2018-10-27, S/N 690087, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 690087
- Year built: 1969
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Badger Flyers Inc.
- Registered owner: Badger Flyers Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: 2P2, Washington Island, WI
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: 2P2, Washington Island, runway 20, 2,250 × 150 ft
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 14 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: KESC, 22 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 20170715012419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170715012419A), Jul 15, 2017: Mooney M20C, Washington Isla, WI, Substantial damage. FAR part 91 flight to washhington island for a fish boil. Clear day with wind gusts to 17 knots. Pilot made shallow approach to rumway 20. Left wing dropped…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 27, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95591. 705 KB in all.

- Record of Email (FAA Inspector) (item 1, .PDF, 316 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460364&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Email%20(FAA%20Inspector)-Master.PDF
- Record of Email (CEN DO) (item 2, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460365&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Email%20(CEN%20DO)-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 303 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460366&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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