# NTSB LAX94LA055: Mooney M20B, N6405Q, Santa Paula, CA, November 21, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 20, 1993, 19:15 local (Nov 21, 1993, 03:15 UTC) - Place: Santa Paula, CA - Coordinates: 34.399005, -119.069625 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3990&lon=-119.0696&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28607 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28607/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA055 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES PROHIBITING NIGHT OPERATIONS AT THE AIRPORT AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER GLIDEPATH. THE PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION WAS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - guy wire - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS COMPLETING A NIGHT VISUAL FLIGHT RULES PERSONAL FLIGHT AT HIS HOME AIRPORT. THE AIRPORT IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A RUNWAY/AIRPORT LIGHTING SYSTEM AND NIGHT OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT BECAME DISTRACTED BY TWO AUTOMOBILES NEAR THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THIS DISTRACTION CAUSED THE PILOT TO DESCEND BELOW THE NORMAL GLIDE PATH. WHEN THE PILOT REALIZED HE WAS TOO LOW, HE BEGAN A GO-AROUND. THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING STRUCK A POWER POLE GUY WIRE AS IT BEGAN TO CLIMB. ## Factual narrative On November 20, 1993, at 1915 hours Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20B, N6405Q, collided with a power pole guy wire while on final approach to runway 04 at Santa Paula Airport, Santa Paula, California. The pilot was competing a visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Whiteman Airport, Pacoima, California, at 1855 hours. Mr. Thomas Mangum, Principal Operations Inspector, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Van Nuys [California] Flight Standards District Office, reported that the pilot admitted that "he was too low" while on final approach to the airport. Inspector Mangum reported that 24 inches of the airplane's left wing severed when it struck the power pole guy wire. The pilot told Inspector Mangum that he purchased the airplane on November 5, 1993. Inspector Mangum said that the pilot was not listed as the registered owner in the FAA Aircraft Records Section, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Inspector Mangum also said that the airplane is based at Santa Paula Airport. The pilot said that clear skies existed, but that it was a dark night. The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, to the National Transportation Safety Board. The pilot stated in the report that while on final approach he became distracted by two automobiles with their lights on that were near the approach end of the runway. He said that this distraction caused him to allow the airplane to get too low. When the pilot realized he was too low, he added power and began a go-around. As the airplane began to climb, its left wing struck the power pole guy wire. Santa Paula Airport is not equipped with any runway lighting systems. According to the Department of Commerce, Airport/Facility Directory, night operations at Santa Paula Airport are prohibited. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6405Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6405Q-1997-03-03), registration cancelled 1997-03-03, S/N 670145 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20B - Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 670145 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hellner, John F. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 19, 1992 - Departed: WHP, PACOIMA, CA - Airport: SZP, Santa Paula, runway 4, 2,650 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 326 total, 26 in this make and model, 326 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19931120047249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931120047249A), Nov 20, 1993: Mooney M20C, Santa Paula, CA, Substantial damage. Tried land home airport sans runway lights. Distracted by vehicles on border road. Low, hit power pole guy wire. 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.