# NTSB LAX01LA226: Mooney M20C, N311X, Tucson, AZ, June 28, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 28, 2001, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.116111, -110.941108 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1161&lon=-110.9411&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52597 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA226 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52597/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA226 ## Probable cause The airplane's collision with a perimeter roadway vehicular traffic sign due to the pilot's diverted attention and inadequate visual lookout while taxiing from landing. A contributing factor was the lack of sign conspicuity. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause) - object - sign - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - wrong taxi route - inadvertent use, pilot in command - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor) - unsafe/hazardous condition - not recognized, pilot in command ## Analysis After landing, the pilot intended to taxi to a fixed base operator via an established taxiway. While proceeding toward the intended taxiway, the pilot redirected his attention toward military jet airplane traffic that was in front of him but proceeded in another direction. Thereafter, the pilot became confused regarding his position and turned onto a perimeter road believing that it was the intended taxiway. As the pilot proceeded on the road, he collided with the back side of an automotive traffic sign. ## Factual narrative On June 28, 2001, about 1330 hours mountain standard time, a Mooney M20C, N311X, owned and operated by the pilot, taxied into a motor vehicle traffic sign at the Tucson International Airport, Tucson, Arizona. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The personal flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the La Cholla Airpark, in Tucson, about 1300. Information received from the Tucson airport police indicated that after the pilot landed he had intended to taxi to a fixed base operator via taxiway Delta. However, he became confused and turned onto a perimeter road, believing that it was the taxiway. As the pilot was proceeding on the road, he collided with the back side of a "yield" traffic sign. The pilot reported that just prior to the collision he had directed his attention toward military jet airplane traffic that was in front of him and proceeding away. He also indicated that the sign was small and inconspicuous. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N311X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N311X), registered now, S/N 2592, built 1963 (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: 2592 - Airframe hours: 3357 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dale Hodgson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 2000, 29 hours before - Departed: 40E, Tucson, AZ - Destination: TUS, Tucson, AZ - Airport: TUS, Tucson International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 16, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 4,077 total, 265 in this make and model, 3,967 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 102 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: TUS ## 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 20010628015589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010628015589A), Jun 28, 2001: Mooney M20C, Tucson, AZ, No damage. (.19) On June 28, 2001, about 1330 hours mountain standard time, a Mooney M20C, N311X, owned and operated by the pilot, taxied into a motor vehicle traffic… 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.