# NTSB NYC85LA041: Mooney M20J, N3515H, Marlboro, NJ, November 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1984, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Marlboro, NJ
- Location: 39.4871° N, 75.3246° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marlboro, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4871&lon=-75.3246&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35660
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35660/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA041

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT STATED THAT ON LATE FINAL, WITH AIRSPEED AND DESCENT PATH NORMAL, ACFT ENCOUNTERED DOWNDRAFT AND COLLIDED WITH UPSLOPE AT RUNWAY THRESHOLD BEFORE CORRECTIVE ACTION COULD BE TAKEN. A 60 DEGREE LEFT CROSSWIND OF 15 KTS EXISTED AT THE TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3515H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3515H-2023-10-09), registration cancelled 2023-10-09, S/N 24-1034, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1034
- Airframe hours: 1040
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: 907th Flight Squadron, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: N88, DOYLESTOWN, PA
- Airport: 2N8, Marlboro, runway 27, 2,170 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 492 total, 43 in this make and model, 348 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19841110070379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841110070379A), Nov 10, 1984: Mooney M20J, Marlboro, NJ, Substantial damage. Hit the upslope short of the runway threshold because of a downdraft, then rolled onto the runway.

## Other investigations on N3515H (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 ERA23FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA077), Dec 2, 2022: Mooney M20J (N3515H), Falmouth, MA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during the landing approach. Contributing to the accident was the sun glare, which impaired the pilot's visibility and situational awareness.

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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