# NTSB LAX91LA309: Mooney M20, N999LM, Little River, CA, July 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1991, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Little River, CA
- Coordinates: 39.25962, -123.75917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2596&lon=-123.7592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27288
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA309
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27288/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA309

## Probable cause

THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY INDUCING A STALL SPIN CONDITION WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER FROM THE SPIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT CALLED UNICOM FOR LANDING INSTRUCTIONS. THE AIRPORT MANAGER TOLD THE PILOT THAT RUNWAY 29 WAS IN USE AND TO ENTER LEFT TRAFFIC FOR THAT RUNWAY. HE ALSO TOLD THE PILOT THAT THE CEILING WAS ABOUT 500 FEET OVERCAST. THE PILOT CALLED FROM 5 MILES OUT AND WAS AGAIN TOLD TO ENTER LEFT TRAFFIC FOR RUNWAY 29. THE PILOT'S AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN SPINNING TO THE GROUND FROM ABOUT 500 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND AND WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. FAA INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND REPORTED THAT THE PROPELLER EXHIBITED PHYSICAL DAMAGE CONSISTENT WITH A PROPELLER UNDER POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N999LM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N999LM-1991-12-11), registration cancelled 1991-12-11, S/N 1148 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1148
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John & Sharon Mitchell
- Registered owner: John & Sharon Mitchell
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 753, HILLSBORO, OR
- Airport: 048, Little River, runway 29, 5,249 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 450 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast

## 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 19910713027329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910713027329A), Jul 13, 1991: Mooney M20E, Little River, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Called UNICOM for info then seen spinning out of clouds near airport. Crashed and burned. Low ceiling fog in area.

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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