# NTSB LAX98LA314: Mooney M20C, N9438V, Reno, NV, September 17, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 17, 1998, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.519535, -119.809486 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5195&lon=-119.8095&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44167 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA314 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44167/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA314 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - gusts - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The pilot and pilot-rated passenger who occupied the right front seat said that the pilot experienced difficulty controlling the airplane on short final approach in the prevailing crosswind condition. The pilot reportedly asked the passenger for help and by the time he was able to get on the controls, the left wing had contacted the ground. ## Factual narrative On September 17, 1998, about 1400 hours Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N9438V, sustained substantial wing and fuselage damage while landing in crosswind conditions at the Reno-Taho International Airport, Reno, Nevada. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and was on a cross-country personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and included winds at 18 knots with gusts to 26 knots. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated at the Fullerton, California, airport about 1200 on the day of the accident with an intended destination of Reno. The pilot did not report the accident to either the Safety Board or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). An FBO on the Reno airport reported to the Reno Flight Standards District Office that the aircraft had sustained significant damage in the accident and had been flown to Fullerton for repair. The damaged airplane was examined by FAA inspectors from the Long Beach, California, Flight Standards District Office at a repair facility on the Fullerton airport. The damage consisted of a deformed and bent left wing, with spar wrinkles and tears, and, damage to the empennage near the bottom of the rudder. FAA inspectors interviewed the pilot-rated passenger who occupied the right front seat. He said that the pilot experienced difficulty controlling the airplane on short final approach in the prevailing crosswind condition. The pilot reportedly asked the passenger for help and by the time he was able to get on the controls, the left wing had contacted the ground. The passenger further reported to FAA inspectors that following the accident, a loaner propeller was obtained and some sheet metal straps were installed on the damaged wing. The passenger and a mechanic from Fullerton then flew the aircraft back to Fullerton. A ferry permit was not obtained. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9438V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9438V), registered now, S/N 700071 (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: 700071 - Airframe hours: 1450 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jennifer Ann Lanning - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1998, 4 hours before - Departed: FUL, FULLERTON, CA - Destination: RNO - Airport: RNO, Reno-Tahoe International, runway 16L, 9,000 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 418 total, 123 in this make and model, 318 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 18 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RNO ## 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 19980917039199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980917039199A), Sep 17, 1998: Mooney M20C, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. (.19)On September 17, 1998, about 1400 hours pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N9438V, sustained substantial wing and fuselage damage while landing in… 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.