# NTSB GAA17CA580: Mooney M20K, N231JD, Los Lunas, NM, November 7, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 6, 2017, 19:45 local (Nov 7, 2017, 01:45 UTC) - Place: Los Lunas, NM - Coordinates: 34.761112, -106.745002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7611&lon=-106.7450&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96293 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA580 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96293/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96293 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA580 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper glidepath during a night approach, which resulted in impact with terrain short of the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during a night approach, he realized that the airplane was short of the runway and applied power. The airplane rolled to the left and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the leading edge of the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during a night approach he realized that the airplane was short of the runway and applied power. The airplane rolled to the left and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the leading edge of the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the bi-plane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N231JD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N231JD-2026-02-03), registration cancelled 2026-02-03, S/N 25-0070, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY AIRCRAFT CORP. M20K (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-0070 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 1387 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-360-GB1 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 2017 - Departed: E95, Benson, AZ - Destination: E98, Los Lunas, NM - Airport: E98, Mid Valley Airpark, runway 18, 4,332 × 37 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 15, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,219 total, 53 in this make and model, 1,124 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 190° at 16 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 1 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: ABQ, 18 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 20171106023099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171106023099A), Nov 6, 2017: Mooney Aircraft Corp. M20K, Los Lunas, NM, Substantial damage. On November 6 2017 at 19:30 MDT a Mooney M20K, N231JD, registered to, [privacy data omitted] landed short of the runway at mid valley airpark, Los Lunas, new… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96293. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462465&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462466&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%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. --- 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.