# NTSB SEA91LA064: Mooney M20C, N7108U, Loa, UT, March 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1991, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Loa, UT
- Coordinates: 38.410625, -111.639572 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4106&lon=-111.6396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41397
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41397/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA064

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED ON TAKEOFF CLIMB IN A TURN RESULTING IN AN INADVERTNENT STALL AND SUBSEQUENT IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A CROSSWIND WITH GUSTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT CONDUCTED A TAKEOFF FROM RUNWAY 31 WITH A CROSSWIND AND GUST REPORTED BETWEEN 35-40 MPH FROM THE WEST. A LEFT TURN OUT WAS INITIATED. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7108U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7108U-1991-08-21), registration cancelled 1991-08-21, S/N 2766 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2766
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-AID 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Garland L. Bray
- Registered owner: Garland L. Bray
- Destination: ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 38U, Wayne Wonderland, runway 31, 5,900 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 963 total, 430 in this make and model, 929 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: 4HV, 42 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 19910310004889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910310004889A), Mar 10, 1991: Mooney M20C, Loa, UT, Substantial damage. Took off in severe gusty crosswind and stalled turning low mid field into wind. Aircraft wing hit. Cartwheeled.

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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