# NTSB NYC84LA087: Mooney M20J, N201LU, Bristol, PA, February 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 16, 1984, 17:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Bristol, PA
- Coordinates: 40.100013, -74.850257 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1000&lon=-74.8503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35501
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35501/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA087

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED WEATHER AND HEAD WINDS ON A X-COUNTRY FLT. NEARING HIS DESTINATION AFTER A LONG FLT THE PLT WAS TRYING TO LET DOWN VFR THROUGH BREAKS ON THE CLOUDS WHEN HE REALIZED THE CRITICAL NATURE OF HIS FUEL LEVEL. A SEARCH FORAN ARPT PRODUCED THE 3M ARPT. A SHORT AND STEEP APPROACH RESULTED IN A LONG TOUCHDOWN ABOUT 1/2 WAY DOWN THE RWY THE NOSE GEAR COLLPASED DURING THE LANDING AND THE ACFT SKIDDED TO A STOP ABOUT 500 FT FROM THE RWY'S END. EXAMINATION OF BOTH FUEL TANKS BY FAA INSPECTORS REVEALED NO FUEL IN EITHER TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N201LU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N201LU), registered now, S/N 24-0486, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0286
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fox River Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 1983, 20 hours before
- Departed: WAUKEGAN, IL
- Destination: PHL, PHILADELPHIA, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: N65, 3m

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 215 total, 9 in this make and model, 157 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19840216003939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840216003939A), Feb 16, 1984: Mooney M20J, Bristol, PA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing on closed airport when nose wheel collapsed due to hard landing.

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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