# NTSB LAX93LA049: Mooney M20J, N4766H, Santa Ana, CA, November 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1992, 17:20 local (Nov 21, 1992, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Santa Ana, CA
- Coordinates: 33.669502, -117.900199 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6695&lon=-117.9002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27871
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27871/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA049

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER LANDING FLARE, HIS IMPROPER BOUNCED LANDING RECOVERY TECHNIQUE, AND HIS INADVERTENT ENTRY INTO A STALL MUSH CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED TWICE ON LANDING WHILE DOING TOUCH AND GO PATTERN PRACTICE OPERATIONS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE 'ADDED POWER, PUSHED THE YOKE AND THE RIGHT RUDDER.' THE AIRCRAFT PITCHED UP AND TO THE LEFT, THEN THE LEFT WING HIT THE GROUND FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT WING. THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT SLID TO A STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4766H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4766H), registered now, S/N 24-0843, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 240843
- Airframe hours: 1356
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: The Flying Club
- Registered owner: Daniel Sheppard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 1992, 23 hours before
- Departed: SNA
- Destination: SNA
- Airport: SNA, John Wayne Orange Co, runway 19, 5,700 × 150 ft, asphalt

## 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: 550 total, 30 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNA, 1 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 19921120047579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921120047579A), Nov 20, 1992: Mooney M20J, Santa Ana, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced and porpoised on landing. Lost total control. Pitched up,rolled, left wing then right wing hit. Gear folded

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.