# NTSB NYC87LA242: Mooney M20B, N77DL, Marlboro, NJ, August 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1987, 18:30 local (22:30 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: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30727
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30727/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA242

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING THE PLT'S 1ST APCH TO LAND, HE NOTED A WIND SHIFT & MADE A GO-AROUND. HE SAID THE WIND SHIFTED BACK IN FAVOR OF RWY 27, SO HE ATTEMPTED ANOTHER LANDING WITH A LONGER, LOWER APCH TO ACCOMMODATE THE WINDS. ALSO, HE NOTED THERE WERE TREES NEAR THE APCH END OF THE RWY. THE PLT STATED THAT ON THE 2ND APCH, HE FLARED OVER THE 'NUMBERS' & THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WAY DOWN THE RWY. SUSPECTING ANOTHER WIND REVERSAL, HE ELECTED TO GO AROUND AGAIN. HOWEVER, ON THE 2ND GO-AROUND, THE ACFT HIT THE TOPS OF TREES NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY & CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77DL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77DL-2014-11-18), registration cancelled 2014-11-18, S/N 1839, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20B
- Registry model: [Mooney M20B](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20b) (registry code 5870206) (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: 1839
- Airframe hours: 1993
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Francis J. Cahil
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 1987
- Departed: LAKEWOOD, NJ
- Airport: 2N8, Marlboro, runway 27, 2,170 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 572 total, 157 in this make and model, 167 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

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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