# NTSB LAX85LA265: Mooney M20J, N3721H, Rialto, CA, May 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1985, 11:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Rialto, CA
- Coordinates: 34.099555, -117.379486 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0996&lon=-117.3795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24733
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA265
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24733/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA265

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper decision, pilot in command
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AT THE CONCLUSION OF A NEARLY 5 HOURS LONG NON STOP FLIGHT FROM NM TO CA, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND AT AN UNCONTROLL-ED AIRPORT. THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE AIRCRAFT'S FINALAPPROACH SPEED WAS EXCESSIVE, AND AFTER THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHEDDOWN IT BOUNCED OFF ITS NOSE WHEEL AND STALLED. THE SECOND BOUNCE WAS DESCRIBED BY THE PILOT AS BEING VERY HARD AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED TO A STOP ABOUT 249 FEET BEYOND THE POINT WHERE THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3721H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3721H-2020-08-14), registration cancelled 2020-08-14, S/N 24-1041 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1040
- Airframe hours: 900
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Martin Aviation, Inc
- Registered owner: Jane K. Kenyon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 26, 1984, 85 hours before
- Departed: SAF, SANTA FE, NM
- Destination: L67, RIALTO, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: L67, Rialto Municipal, runway 24, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 524 total, 70 in this make and model, 404 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 72 °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 19850531021919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850531021919A), May 31, 1985: Mooney M20J, Rialto, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced on landing and came down hard on the nose wheel. Nose gear collapsed. Aircraft veered off the runway.

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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