# NTSB SEA06CA129: Mooney M-20F, N2987L, Summit, UT, June 25, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 24, 2006, 18:40 local (Jun 25, 2006, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Summit, UT
- Coordinates: 37.728054, -112.943611
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7281&lon=-112.9436&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63984
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06CA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63984/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA129

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during a climb.  Encounter with a severe downdraft, and mountainous terrain were factors.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

While climbing out of a valley in mountainous terrain, the aircraft encountered a severe downdraft while crossing over a ridge. As the aircraft began to sink, the pilot added full power, lowered the nose, and kept the wings level. The aircraft did not climb at a greater rate than the downdraft was sinking, and it eventually descended into the terrain in a wings-level position. According to the pilot, there were no problems with the aircraft's engine or flight controls.

## Factual narrative

While climbing out of a valley in mountainous terrain, the aircraft encountered a severe downdraft while crossing over a ridge. As the aircraft began to sink, the pilot added full power, lowered the nose, and kept the wings level. The aircraft did not climb at a greater rate than the downdraft was sinking, and it eventually descended into the terrain in a wings-level position. According to the pilot, there were no problems with the aircraft's engine or flight controls.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2987L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2987L-2009-06-25), registration cancelled 2009-06-25, S/N 670346, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Mooney M-20F
- 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: 670346
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul Bowmar
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KCDC, Cedar City, UT
- Destination: KCDC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; flight instructor, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,936 total, 220 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20060624011859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060624011859A), Jun 24, 2006: Mooney M20F, Parowan, UT, Destroyed. (-23) Flying close to mountains and encountered downdraft, unable to establish climb due to downdraft.

## Other investigations on N2987L (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 FTW70I0256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70I0256), Sep 26, 1969: Mooney M-20F (N2987L), Checotah, OK, incident, minor damage

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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