# NTSB LAX89LA175: Mooney M20E, N9276V, Julian, CA, April 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1989, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Julian, CA
- Coordinates: 33.01926, -116.490837 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0193&lon=-116.4908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26394
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26394/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA175

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PILOT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOOSE GRAVEL RUNWAY AND THE FENCE WHICH THE AIRPLANE WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - inadequate (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE LANDED TO THE NORTH ON A 2,000 FOOT RUNWAY, THEN TAXIED TO A 1,000 FOOT RUNWAY TO TAKEOFF TO THE WEST. THE OAT WAS 80 DEGREES F, THE WINDS WERE FROM THE WNW AT 10 KNOTS, AND THE AIRPORT ELEVATION WAS 1,600 FEET MSL. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS MORE THAN ADEQUATE RUNWAY AVAILABLE FOR A NORMAL DEPARTURE. HE SAID THE TAKEOFF APPEARED NORMAL BUT EVIDENTLY THE LOOSE SAND EXTENDED THE TAKEOFF ROLL. JUST AS THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE IT IMPACTED A FENCE AT THE END OF THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9276V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9276V), registered now, S/N 690062 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 690062
- Airframe hours: 3386
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Eddie Lindros
- Registered owner: Lindros, Eddie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 25, 1988, 75 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Butterfield Ranch, runway 27, 1,000 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 889 total, 340 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19890430010449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890430010449A), Apr 30, 1989: Mooney M20E, Julian, CA, Substantial damage. Tried to depart a sandy 1000 foot strip and hit a fence just after liftoff.

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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