# NTSB NYC07CA074: Mooney M20R, N323RW, Marshfield, MA, March 9, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 9, 2007, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Marshfield, MA - Coordinates: 42.098056, -70.672225 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0981&lon=-70.6722&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65396 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65396/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA074 ## Probable cause A loss of directional control for undetermined reasons. ## 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 - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - fence ## Analysis The pilot of a Mooney M20R entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern and slowed the airplane to 90 knots. He then lowered the flaps, turned onto the base and final leg of the traffic pattern, and again increased the flap setting. The airplane touched down immediately past the runway numbers at a speed of 70 knots. The pilot then applied the brakes, and at approximately mid-field, it became difficult for him to maintain directional control, and the airplane "pulled severely to the left." He then initiated a go around by applying full power and raising the nose of the airplane to establish a positive rate of climb. The airplane then struck the airport perimeter fence and a large rock, separating the left wing and igniting a fire. Two witnesses, one a pilot and the other a flight instructor, both observed the airplane during the landing approach. They both reported seeing the airplane approach the runway, before it disappeared from view behind a row of hangars. When they next saw the airplane, it appeared traveling "fast," and was "trailed by tire smoke." The airplane then departed the runway surface, and the engine sound increased to "full power." The witnesses lost sight of the airplane behind terrain, but observed a "large ball of flames" moments later. Examination of the runway surface revealed skid marks that began about 1,000 feet beyond the threshold of the 3,001-foot long runway, which continued for about 1,600 feet before departing the left side of the runway surface. Marks in the turf continued from where the skid marks left the runway, through the airport perimeter fence, and toward where the airplane came to rest. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane, including both main landing gear, was consumed by a post-impact fire. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the Mooney M20R, he entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern and slowed the airplane to 90 knots. The pilot then lowered the flaps, turned onto the base and final leg of the traffic pattern, and again increased the flap setting. The airplane touched down immediately past the runway numbers at a speed of 70 knots. The pilot then applied the brakes, and at approximately mid-field, it became difficult for him to maintain directional control, and the airplane "pulled severely to the left." He then initiated a go around by applying full power and raising the nose of the airplane to establish a positive rate of climb. The airplane then struck the airport perimeter fence and a large rock, separating the left wing and igniting a fire. Two witnesses, one a pilot and the other a flight instructor, both observed the airplane during the landing approach. They both reported seeing the airplane approach the runway, before it disappeared from view behind a row of hangars. When they next saw the airplane, it appeared traveling "fast," and was "trailed by tire smoke." The airplane then departed the runway surface, and the engine sound increased to "full power." The witnesses lost sight of the airplane behind terrain, but observed a "large ball of flames" moments later. Examination of the runway surface revealed skid marks that began about 1,000 feet beyond the threshold of the 3,001-foot long runway, which continued for about 1,600 feet before departing the left side of the runway surface. Marks in the turf continued from where the skid marks left the runway, through the airport perimeter fence, and toward where the airplane came to rest. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane, including both main landing gear, was consumed by a post-impact fire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N323RW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N323RW-2007-06-21), registration cancelled 2007-06-21, S/N 29-0306, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20R - Registry model: [Mooney M20R](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20r) (registry code 5870225) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 29-0306 - Airframe hours: 298 - Engines: Continental IO-550-G6 280 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Willowbank Company LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2006 - Departed: SYR, Syracuse, NY - Destination: GHG, Marshfield, MA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: GHG, Marshfield Municipal Airport, runway 24, 3,001 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 930 total, 372 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 23 °F, dew point -6 °F - Altimeter: 30.54 inHg - Observed at: GHG ## 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 20070309002939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070309002939A), Mar 9, 2007: Mooney M20R, Marshfield, MA, Destroyed. (-23) After landing rwy 24 at ghg pilot lost directional control due to aircraft unable to maintain centerline alignment. Pilot initiated a go around and lost… 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.