# NTSB LAX96LA268: Mooney M20C, N6715N, Payson, AZ, July 8, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 8, 1996, 00:15 local (07:15 UTC) - Place: Payson, AZ - Coordinates: 34.190982, -111.170776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1910&lon=-111.1708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 14, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29505 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA268 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29505/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA268 ## Probable cause animals on the runway. A factor was the dark night. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command - object - animal(s) (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot returned to his home base airport during nighttime conditions. He observed a herd of elk near the approach end of the runway, overflew them, and landed on the remaining runway. During rollout the airplane collided with two elk from another herd. The pilot reported that he was aware elk and other animals had unrestricted access to the runway since no fence surrounded the airport. A notice indicating that occurrence had been published in the FAA Airport/Facility Directory. The Payson police department reported detecting the odor of an intoxicating beverage on the pilot's breath. The pilot reported that about 1830 the previous evening he drank a couple of beers while in Laughlin, Nevada. The police administered a field sobriety and a portable breath test (PBT) on the pilot at 0304. The PBT sample produced results at the 0.03 percent level. ## Factual narrative On July 8, 1996, at 0015 mountain standard time, a Mooney M20C, N6715N, owned and operated by the pilot, collided with elk during landing rollout on runway 24 at the Payson Airport, Payson, Arizona. The airplane was substantially damaged. Neither the private pilot nor passenger was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the nighttime flight which originated the previous evening from Bullhead City, Arizona, at 2215. The pilot reported to the Payson city police department that during the landing flare he observed a herd of elk near the approach end of the runway. He flew over the herd and landed on the remaining runway. During rollout, the airplane collided with two elk in another herd. The right main landing gear assembly broke off and exited through the upper surface of the wing. The airplane slid to a stop without further mishap. The pilot reported that he ties down his airplane at the Payson airport. He was aware that elk and other animals had unrestricted access to the runway environment since no fence surrounded the airport. Airport personnel reported that elk are occasionally observed on the airport and runway. A notice indicating that occurrence was in effect and had been published in the current FAA Airport/Facility Directory. An officer from the Payson police department reported detecting the odor of an intoxicating beverage on the pilot's breath. The pilot reported that about 1830 the previous evening he drank "a couple of beers" while in Laughlin, Nevada. The police officer administered a field sobriety and a portable breath test (PBT) on the pilot at 0304. The PBT sample produced results at the 0.03 percent level. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6715N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6715N), registered now, S/N 680047, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20C - Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 680047 - Airframe hours: 1781 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Larry K. Ayers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1995, 104 hours before - Departed: IFP, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ - Destination: E69 - Airport: E69, Payson, runway 24, 5,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 808 total, 78 in this make and model, 750 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 19960708016129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960708016129A), Jul 8, 1996: Mooney M20C, Payson, AZ, Substantial damage. Saw elk near ruwnay threshold on night landing. Cleared them but hit another on landing roll. Alcohol pilots system ## Other investigations on N6715N (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA70FDG04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA70FDG04), May 22, 1970: Mooney M20D (N6715N), Great Falls, MT, substantial damage 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.