# NTSB NYC07CA231: Mooney M20C, N6731U, Allentown, PA, September 12, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 12, 2007, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Allentown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.652221, -75.440277
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6522&lon=-75.4403&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 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66693
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66693/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA231

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced 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
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign

## Analysis

The student pilot of the Mooney M20C was returning to land at his home airport following a solo cross country flight.  During the approach to the runway, there was a crosswind, and when the airplane touched down it bounced twice.  After the third touchdown, the left wing rose while the right wing dropped, and the pilot "didn't straighten [the airplane] out correctly."  The airplane subsequently departed the right side of the runway, and the right wing struck a sign.  The pilot did not report any mechanical abnormalities associated with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

According to the student pilot of the Mooney M20C, he was returning to land at his home airport following a solo cross country flight.  During the approach to the runway, there was a crosswind, and when the airplane touched down it bounced twice.  After the third touchdown, the left wing rose while the right wing dropped, and the pilot "didn't straighten out [the airplane] correctly."  The airplane subsequently departed the right side of the runway, and the right wing struck a sign.  The pilot did not report any mechanical abnormalities associated with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6731U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6731U), registered now, S/N 2463, built 1963 (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: 2463
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: IPT, Williamsport, PA
- Destination: ABE, Allentown, PA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ABE, Lehigh Valley Intl. Airport, runway 24, 7,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 65 total, 30 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observed at: ABE

## 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 20070912022619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070912022619A), Sep 12, 2007: Mooney M20C, Allentown, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) After completing a solo cross country flight, the student pilot was attempting to land on runway 24 at the Lehigh Valley International Airport (abe).…

## Other investigations on N6731U (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 CHI67D0379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67D0379), Nov 5, 1966: Mooney M20C (N6731U), Bowling Grn, OH, 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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