# NTSB LAX91LA004: Mooney M20K, N252YD, Rio Linda, CA, October 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1990, 21:15 local (Oct 8, 1990, 04:15 UTC)
- Place: Rio Linda, CA
- Coordinates: 38.679122, -121.449981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6791&lon=-121.4500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27038
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27038/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA004

## Probable cause

THE AIRPLANE'S GROUND COLLISION WITH AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON WHO WAS LOCATED ON THE ACTIVE RUNWAY. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS RELATED TO THE NIGHTTIME (LIGHT) CONDITION WHICH LIMITED THE PILOT'S ABILITY TO SEE THE PERSON PRIOR TO THE IMPACT.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - other person
  - planning/decision - improper, other person (cause)
  - light condition - bright night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PLANNED 10-MINUTE LONG LOCAL NIGHTIME FLIGHT THE PILOT TOOK OFF AND LANDED AT THE UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT. THE AIRPORT'S RUNWAY LIGHTS AND THE AIRPLANE'S POSITION LIGHTS WERE OPERATING. DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A PERSON WHO WAS WALKING ON THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD NOT OBSERVED THE PERSON IN SUFFICIENT TIME TO AVOID THE COLLISION. THE PERSON, WHO WAS FATALLY INJURED, HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY WARNED BY AIRPORT MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL NOT TO WALK ON THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N252YD (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20K
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-1075
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-MB1 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas K Pischel
- Airport: 094, Rio Linda, runway 35, 2,620 × 42 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,270 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19901007065999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901007065999A), Oct 7, 1990: Mooney M20K, Rio Linda, CA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Struck and fatally injured intoxicated person walking on runway. Victim had been previously warned stay off 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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