# NTSB NYC01LA069: Mooney M-20, N9558M, S. Charleston, WV, January 26, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 26, 2001, 10:53 local (15:53 UTC) - Place: S. Charleston, WV - Coordinates: 38.309188, -81.749916 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3092&lon=-81.7499&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 51391 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51391/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA069 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment during the landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot arrived at the airport, and serviced the airplane with 10 gallons of fuel. He started the engine, checked all the gauges, found no anomalies, and departed. During the flight, the pilot preformed several touch-and-goes at several different airports before proceeding to his planned destination. At his destination, the pilot maneuvered the airplane to land. Once on final, the pilot selected approach flaps, but they did not extend. With the throttle completely retarded, the pilot started executing "S" turns to maintain a proper descent rate. On short final, the pilot noticed that the airplane was right of the runway so he turned left, and then started a flare to land. The airplane touched down and went off the runway to the left. It then hit a hangar and parked airplane about 500 feet from the approach end of the runway before coming to an stop. Continuity of the flaps system could not be verified because of impact damage. ## Factual narrative On January 26, 2001, at 1053 Eastern Standard Time, a Mooney M-20, N9558M, was substantially damaged while landing at the Mallory Airport (WV12), South Charleston, West Virginia. The certificated private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Summersville, West Virginia, destined for WV12. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he arrived at the airport and serviced the airplane with 10 gallons of fuel. The pilot started the engine, and let it run for awhile to ensure it had warmed up because of the cold temperatures that morning. The pilot checked all the gauges, found no anomalies, and then departed. During the flight, the pilot preformed several touch-and-goes at several different airports before proceeding to WV12. Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes into the flight, and while operating on the left fuel tank, the engine began to "sputter". The pilot selected the right tank and the engine returned to smooth operation. When the engine started to "sputter" the left tank indicated 1/8. At the time the pilot switched to the right, it indicated 1/8 of a tank. The pilot became "very concerned," so he requested radar vectors to Charleston, West Virginia. While en route to Charleston, the pilot realized he was close to his planned destination, so he then requested vectors to WV12. Within a "few" minutes the pilot identified the airport, and maneuvered the airplane to land on Runway 33. Once on final, the pilot selected approach flaps, but they did not extend. With the throttle completely retarded, the pilot started executing "S" turns to maintain a proper descent rate. On short final, the pilot noticed that the airplane was right of the runway so he turned left, and then started a flare to land. The airplane touched down on the runway, but then departed it to the left. When the airplane departed the runway, the pilot had the controls all the way to the right. Before coming to a stop, the airplane struck a hangar and a parked airplane about 500 feet past the approach end of the runway. Except for being unable to extent the flaps, the pilot did not report any other failures or malfunctions with the airplane or its systems. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that responded to the accident, continuity of the flaps system could not be verified because of impact damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9558M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9558M-2003-09-04), registration cancelled 2003-09-04, S/N 670135, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M-20 - Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 670135 - Airframe hours: 3633.6 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William Dean - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 2000, 19.3 hours before - Departed: SXL, Sommersville, WV - Destination: WV12, S. Charleston, WV - Airport: WV12, Mallory, runway 33, 2,000 × 24 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 10, 1999; seat: left; flight hours: 625 total, 371 in this make and model, 595 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: CRW, 46 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 20010126025379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010126025379A), Jan 26, 2001: Mooney M20F, South Charlesto, WV, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot arrived at the airport, and serviced the airplane with 10 gallons of fuel. He started the engine, checked all the gauges, found no anomalies,… 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.