# NTSB NYC89LA071: Mooney M20J, N201MQ, Lumberton, NJ, January 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1989, 21:50 local (Jan 20, 1989, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Lumberton, NJ
- Location: 39.9343° N, 74.8072° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FLYING W (N14), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9343&lon=-74.8072&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36368
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36368/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA071

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A TOUCH-AND-GO, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE.  THE PRESENCE OF TREES NEAR THE RUNWAY WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - touch-and-go - initiated
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER ARRIVING FROM A X-COUNTRY TRIP, THE PILOT DECIDED TO MAKE A TOUCH-&-GO LANDING. DRG THE TOUCH-&-GO, THE ACFT WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY & STRUCK TREES. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N201MQ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N201MQ), registered now, S/N 24-0244, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a3b6d) (registry code 41828, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0204
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles J. Whitney
- Registered owner: Charles J Whitney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HVN, NEW HAVEN, CT
- Airport: N14, Flying W, runway 1, 3,496 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 270 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 50° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIV, 36 nm away

## 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 19890119000999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890119000999A), Jan 19, 1989: Mooney M20J, Lumberton, NJ, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on touch and go. Ran off runway into a tree.

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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