# NTSB LAX85LA334: Mooney M20A, N8141E, Compton, CA, July 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1985, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Compton, CA
- Coordinates: 33.869812, -118.240898 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8698&lon=-118.2409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24785
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA334
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24785/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA334

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - recovery from bounced landing - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - airport facility

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT HAD A TOTAL OF 36 FLIGHT HRS WHICH INCLUDED 9.4 HRS IN THE MONNEY ACFT. HE HAD BEEN AUTHORIZED BY HIS CFI, WHO FLEW WITH HIM THE PRECEDING DAY, TO PRACTICE LANDING. ON THE STUDENT'S FIRST ATTEMPTED LDG, HE TOUCHED DOWN HARD & BEGAN PORPOISING. CONTROL WAS LOST, & THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RWY & COLLIDED WITH A TAXIWAY SIGN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8141E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8141E-2019-02-27), registration cancelled 2019-02-27, S/N 1412 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20A
- Registry model: [Mooney M20A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20a) (registry code 5870204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1412
- Airframe hours: 2078
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Olie Hunt & Daniel Russell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1984, 20 hours before
- Departed: CPM, COMPTON, CA
- Destination: CPM, COMPTON, CA
- Airport: CPM, Compton, runway 25, 3,670 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 36 total, 9 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °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 19850720035159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850720035159A), Jul 20, 1985: Mooney M20A, Compton, CA, Substantial damage. Began porpoising after touchdown and lost directional control. Struck a taxiway sign.

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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