# NTSB LAX93LA314: Mooney M20J, N1153K, King City, CA, August 6, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1993, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: King City, CA
- Coordinates: 36.199665, -120.939399 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1997&lon=-120.9394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28442
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA314
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28442/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA314

## Probable cause

the pilot's loss of directional control during the takeoff ground roll due to the inadvertent interference with the controls by a passenger.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - control interference - inadvertent, passenger (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

According to the pilot, the ground loop was induced when the right seat passenger accidentally pressed on the left rudder pedal as the aircraft neared lift off airspeed during the takeoff. The pilot reported that the aircraft yawed 45 degrees to the left when the passenger stepped on the left rudder pedal, and, he could not regain control of the aircraft prior to the ground loop.

## Factual narrative

On August 6, 1993, at 1415 hours Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N1153K, sustained substantial damage during a ground loop following a loss of directional control on takeoff at the King City, California, airport.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation.  The certificated private pilot and his two passengers were not injured.  The flight was originating at the time of the mishap as a personal cross country flight to San Jose, California.

According to the pilot, the ground loop was induced when the right seat passenger accidentally pressed on the left rudder pedal as the aircraft neared lift off airspeed during the takeoff.  The pilot reported that the aircraft yawed 45 degrees to the left when the passenger stepped on the left rudder pedal, and, he could not regain control of the aircraft prior to the ground loop.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1153K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1153K), registered now, S/N 24-1239, built 1981 (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 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1239
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gunter M. Unruh
- Registered owner: G. M. Unruh & K. Flechsig
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 1992
- Departed: KIC
- Destination: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA
- Airport: KIC, King City, runway 29, 4,485 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 920 total, 805 in this make and model, 771 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19930806028219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930806028219A), Aug 6, 1993: Mooney M20J, King City, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported passenger pressed on left rudder near liftoff speed. Aircraft yawed and ground looped.

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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