# NTSB MIA94LA150: Mooney M20-J, N201NH, Apalachicola, FL, May 27, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1994, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Apalachicola, FL
- Coordinates: 29.720266, -84.989791 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7203&lon=-84.9898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37552
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37552/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA150

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE CROSSWIND RESULTING IN NOT MAINTAINING ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY AND THE PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE LANDING. THE CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - aborted
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE ON LANDING ROLL, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A STRONG CROSS-WIND AND ABORTED THE LANDING. THE AIRPLANE THEN DRIFTED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK TREES, SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE AIRPLANE.

## Factual narrative

On May 27, 1994, about 1730 central daylight time, N201NH, a Mooney M20-J, registered to the pilot, Daryll Plymel, collided with trees on landing at Apalachicola, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot reported no injures. The flight originated from Moultrie, Georgia, about 1630 the same day.       The pilot stated that as he touched down on landing the aircraft encountered a gust of wind, drifted to the left and he then attempted a go-around. The pilot lost control of the airplane on the ground, left the runway and collided with trees.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N201NH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N201NH-1996-08-21), registration cancelled 1996-08-21, S/N 240264 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20-J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0264
- Airframe hours: 2072
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Plymel, Daryll G.
- Registered owner: Plymel Brothers Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1994
- Departed: MGR, MOULTRIE, GA
- Airport: F47, St. George Island, runway 14, 3,800 × 50 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: 1,093 total, 465 in this make and model, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PFN, 53 nm away

## 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 19940527012729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940527012729A), May 27, 1994: Mooney M20J, Apalachicola, FL, Substantial damage. Gust of wind landing. Drifted left. Began go around. Lost control. Left runway and collided with trees.

## Other investigations on N201NH (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 ATL82FLG08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FLG08), Jan 6, 1982: Mooney M-20J (N201NH), Hilton Head, SC, 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.

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