# NTSB NYC08CA277: Mooney M20F, N9137V, Ridgeland, SC, August 11, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 11, 2008, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Ridgeland, SC - Coordinates: 32.4925, -80.992225 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4925&lon=-80.9922&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: West Columbia FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68688 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA277 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68688/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA277 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind during landing. A factor contributing to the accident was the crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=5870214), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=5870214), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20F, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5870214), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 21, and noticed that the wind sock was "straight out and quartering." He reported that at his altitude of 1,000 feet, there was "moderate to severe turbulence," and he initially entertained returning to the departure airport, but instead decided to continue the approach and landing. While on final approach, the pilot crabbed the airplane to the right, and held it there until the airplane was about 5 feet above the ground, before he leveled the wings. He began the landing over runway centerline, but the wind pushed the airplane "hard to the left" until the landing gear was over the runway edge lights. The pilot again considered aborting the landing, but then the landing gear struck an unknown object, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane came to rest shortly thereafter, with substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The reported winds at an airport 14 nautical miles east of the accident location, and about 40 minutes after the accident, were from 150 degrees at 6 knots, with gusts to 15 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the Mooney M20F, he entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 21, a 2,672-foot long by 70-foot wide asphalt runway, and noticed that the wind sock was "straight out and quartering." He reported that at his altitude of 1,000 feet, there was "moderate to severe turbulence," and he initially entertained returning to the departure airport, but instead decided to continue the approach and landing. While on final approach, the pilot crabbed the airplane to the right, and held it there until the airplane was about 5 feet above the ground, before he leveled the wings. The pilot began the landing over runway centerline, but the wind pushed the airplane "hard to the left" until the landing gear was over the runway edge lights. The pilot again considered aborting the landing, but then the landing gear struck an unknown object, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane came to rest shortly thereafter, with substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The reported winds at an airport 14 nautical miles east of the accident location, and about 40 minutes after the accident, were from 150 degrees at 6 knots, with gusts to 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9137V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9137V-2011-08-09), registration cancelled 2011-08-09, S/N 690034, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20F - 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: 690034 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 73J, Beaufort, SC - Destination: 3J1, Ridgeland, SC - Airport: 3J1, Ridgeland Airport, runway 21, 2,692 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 500 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 6 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: NBC, 14 nm away 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.