# NTSB SEA87LA096: Mooney M20F, N3523X, Wagontire, OR, May 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1987, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Wagontire, OR
- Coordinates: 43.830276, -121.489784 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8303&lon=-121.4898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40626
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40626/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA096

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - exceeded (cause)
  - lowering of flaps - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
- Gear collapsed, landing

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF WITH FULL FLAPS AND A DENSITY ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 6,200 FEET THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO GAIN FLYING SPEED. SHORTLY AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE THE AIRCRAFTS GEAR CAUGHT ON A BARBED WIRE FENCE AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT THEN STRUCK THE GROUND COLLAPSING THE LANDING GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3523X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3523X-1989-08-24), registration cancelled 1989-08-24, S/N 670060 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 670060
- Airframe hours: 2645
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David W. Robinson
- Registered owner: David W. Robinson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 5, 1987, 48 hours before
- Departed: OR03, WAGONTIRE, OR
- Destination: U33, JOHN DAY, OR
- Airport: OR03, Wagontire

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 411 total, 299 in this make and model, 372 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots, gusting 8
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19870517013959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870517013959A), May 17, 1987: Mooney M20F, Burns, OR, Substantial damage. Tried to takeoff at high density altitude with full flaps. Unable to leave ground effect, hit a fence at runway end

## Other investigations on N3523X (2)

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 MKC68D0540](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC68D0540), Apr 13, 1968: Mooney M20F (N3523X), Russell, KS, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN67D0273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN67D0273), Apr 20, 1967: Mooney M20F (N3523X), Las Animas, CO, substantial 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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