# NTSB LAX04CA118: Mooney M20C, N9675M, Mesa, AZ, February 7, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 7, 2004, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.45, -111.716667
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4500&lon=-111.7167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58732
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58732/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA118

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in a collision with an airport sign.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign

## Analysis

The airplane collided with a taxiway sign following a loss of directional control while on the landing roll.  During the landing roll, the airplane made a sharp left turn.  The pilot did not apply rudder pressure to counteract the veer.  The airplane departed the left side of the runway and collided with a taxiway sign.  The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On February 7, 2004, about 1430 mountain standard time, a Mooney M20C, N9675M, collided with a taxiway sign following a loss of directional control while on the landing roll at Falcon Field Airport (FFZ), Mesa, Arizona.  The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The local personal flight departed FFZ about 1330.  Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he had been cleared to land on runway 22L.  The airplane touched down on centerline, with the main landing gear making contact with the runway first, and the nose wheel following.  During the landing roll, the airplane made a sharp left turn.  The pilot did not apply rudder pressure to counteract the veer.  The airplane departed the left side of the runway and collided with a taxiway sign.  The airplane sustained substantial damage to the inboard section of the left wing and ruptured the left fuel tank.  The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for FFZ at 1441 reported winds from 130 degrees at 6 knots and visibility at 50 statute miles.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9675M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9675M), registered now, S/N 670011, built 1966 (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: 670011
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-AID reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Destination: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field Airport, runway 22L

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 579 total, 68 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20040207003679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040207003679A), Feb 7, 2004: Mooney M20C, Mesa, AZ, Minor damage. (-23) After flying for appox. One (1) hour in the local vicinity of ffz, the pilot set the a/c up for a normal landing on runway #22L @ffz. The touchdown was…

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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