# NTSB LAX87LA231: Mooney M-18L, N115C, Maricopa, CA, June 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1987, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Maricopa, CA
- Coordinates: 34.839847, -119.269447 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8398&lon=-119.2694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25607
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25607/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA231

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - remedial action - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - landing gear - separation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP, HE NOTICED SOME TURBULENCE. ON SHORT FINAL THE PLT STATED THAT A SEVERE WIND SHEAR DROPPED THE ACFT INTO A RAVINE. THE PLT ADDED FULL PWR, HOWEVER, THE ACFT DID NOT GAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR AN EMBANKMENT. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THIS EMBANKMENT NEAR THE APPROACH END OF THE RWY SHEARING OFF THE LANDING GEAR AND THE ACFT SLID DOWN THE RWY ON ITS UNDERSIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N115C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N115C-1989-07-03), registration cancelled 1989-07-03, S/N 76 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-18L
- Registry model: [Mooney M-18L](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m-18l) (registry code 5870106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 76
- Airframe hours: 680
- Engines: LYCOMING O-145B 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard T. Marrott
- Registered owner: Marrott, Richard T.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 27, 1986, 13 hours before
- Departed: L45, BAKERSFIELD, CA
- Airport: Maricopa, runway 19, 1,400 ×  ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,600 total, 140 in this make and model, 1,542 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 26 nm away

## 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 19870607060699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870607060699A), Jun 7, 1987: Mnmite M18L, Maricopa, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft encountered wind shear on final and hit an embankment short of 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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