# NTSB LAX93LA339: Mooney M-20M, N353CK, Eureka, CA, August 29, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1993, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Eureka, CA
- Coordinates: 40.799671, -124.149276 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7997&lon=-124.1493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28462
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA339
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28462/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA339

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to attain the proper touch down point and the excessive airspeed.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN AT MIDFIELD ON A 2,700 FOOT LONG RUNWAY AT A HIGH AIRSPEED.  THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BANK. THERE WERE NO REPORTED AIRPLANE MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT.

## Factual narrative

On August 29, 1993, at 1420 hours Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M- 20M, N353CK, landed long, exited runway 34, and collided with a dirt bank at Eureka Municipal Airport, Eureka, California.  The pilot was completing a visual flight rules personal flight.  The airplane, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, received serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight departed Arcata, California, at 1400 hours.

A pilot/witness reported to Mr. Kim Davies, Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Oakland [California] Flight Standards District Office, that he was flying in the traffic pattern at the time of the accident.  He observed the airplane "touch down at midfield at a high speed."  The airplane exited the north end of the runway and collided with a dirt bank.  He also stated that the airplane over flew the airport two or three times before the accident.

The pilot reported in a telephone interview conducted on January 18, 1994, that he has no independent recollection of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N353CK (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-0048
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richardson, Kenneth D.
- Registered owner: Richardson, Kenneth D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1993
- Departed: ACV, ARCATA, CA
- Airport: O33, Eureka Municipal, runway 34, 2,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,095 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19930829031649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930829031649A), Aug 29, 1993: Mooney M20M, Eureka, CA, Substantial damage. Landed fast midway on runway. Ran off end into dirt bank.

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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