# NTSB LAX84FA484: Mooney M20C, N6406U, Mariposa, CA, September 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1984, 19:52 local (Sep 18, 1984, 02:52 UTC)
- Place: Mariposa, CA
- Coordinates: 37.490177, -119.999366 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4902&lon=-119.9994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA484
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24003/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA484

## 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
  - aircraft performance,landing capability - exceeded (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - utility pole

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE & TELEPHONE POLE DURING A GO-AROUND MANEUVER ON RWY 26. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT EXITED THE LEFT SIDE OF RWY 26 ABOUT 1625 FT BEYOND THE THRESHOLD. ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO EYEWITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT A GROUND WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE ACFT LANDED NORMALLY BUT THAT AS THE ACFT REACHED MID-FIELD, THE ENG SOUND 'INCREASED', FOLLOWED BY TWO 'THUD' SOUNDS & A FIREBALL. A PLT, WHO LANDED 15 MINS AFTER THE ACCIDENT REPORTED 90 DEG X-WIND PREVAILED & STATED 'IT TOOK MAXIMUM DEFLECTION OF THE CONTROL SURFACES TO KEEP THE ACFT ALIGNED WITH THE RWY CENTERLINE.' THE MAX DEMONSTRATED X-WIND COMPONENT FOR THE ACCIDENT ACFT WAS 17 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6406U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6406U-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 2153, built 1962 (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: 2153
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mary M. Canabou
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HWD, HAYWARD, CA
- Airport: 068, Mariposa-Yosemite, runway 26, 3,300 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: variable at 17 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19840917049329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840917049329A), Sep 17, 1984: Mooney M20C, Mariposa, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Strong gusty winds exceeded max x wind component, landed long, go around, hit tree and pole. Flaps, gear extended.

## Other investigations on N6406U (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN68F0237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68F0237), Apr 2, 1968: Mooney M20C (N6406U), Broomfield, CO, substantial damage

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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