# NTSB LAX89LA151: Mooney M20F, N9705M, Prescott, AZ, April 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1989, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Prescott, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.619522, -112.4207 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6195&lon=-112.4207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26372
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26372/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA151

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PLT TO LEAN THE FUEL MIXTURE FOR THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CFI'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE AND ENGINE OPERATING PROCEDURES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPORT ELEVATION WAS 5,042 FEET, AND THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 7,600 FEET. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THEY HAD ABORTED THE FIRST TAKEOFF ATTEMPT BECAUSE THE ENGINE RPM WAS INSUFFICIENT FOR TAKEOFF. ON THE NEXT ATTEMPT, THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE AND FLEW IN GROUND EFFECT. THE ENGINE RPM WAS INSUFFICIENT TO SUSTAIN FLIGHT. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL AND BANKED THE AIRPLANE TO AVOID POWERLINES. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED INTO AN OPEN FIELD. THE CFI DID NOT LEAN THE MIXTURE FOR TAKEOFF. HE SAID HE BELIEVED THE CARBURETOR HAD AN AUTO-LEAN FEATURE AND HE DID NOT HAVE TO LEAN THE MIXTURE. THE IO-360 ENGINE IS FUEL INJECTED AND DOES NOT HAVE AUTO-LEAN. POST ACCIDENT ENGINE RUN REVEALED THE ENGINE WAS CAPABLE OF NORMAL OPERATION WITH FUEL MIXTURE PROPERLY SET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9705M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9705M-1998-01-14), registration cancelled 1998-01-14, S/N 670265 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 670265
- Airframe hours: 3323
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph Leyva
- Registered owner: Leyva, Joseph B
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1989, 2 hours before
- Departed: PRC
- Destination: INW, WINSLOW, AZ
- Airport: PRC, Ernest A Love Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,450 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,360 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC

## 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 19890408006979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890408006979A), Apr 8, 1989: Mooney M20F, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. Unable to sustain flight after takeoff. Crash landed off airport. Failed to lean mixture for high altitude takeoff.

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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