# NTSB WPR10CA020: Mooney M20J, N1084Z, Hesperia, CA, October 17, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 17, 2009, 08:18 local (15:18 UTC)
- Place: Hesperia, CA
- Coordinates: 34.376945, -117.315834 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3769&lon=-117.3158&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74914
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74914/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74914
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA020

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper glide path and failure to maintain clearance from the airport perimeter fence during the landing approach.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that on short final to the runway the airplane encountered a downdraft. He applied engine power, but the main landing gear struck the airport perimeter fence and the airplane collided with the runway surface. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings during the accident sequence. The pilot reported light and variable winds at the time of the accident. The Federal Aviation Airport Facilities Directory states that a perimeter fence is located at the approach end of the accident runway. The pilot reported that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that on short final to the runway the airplane encountered a downdraft. He applied engine power, but the main landing gear struck the airport perimeter fence and the airplane collided with the runway surface. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings during the accident sequence. Light winds existed at the time of the accident. The Federal Aviation Airport Facilities Directory states that a perimeter fence is located at the approach end of the accident runway. The pilot reported that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1084Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1084Z-2018-02-27), registration cancelled 2018-02-27, S/N 24-1132 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1132
- Airframe hours: 2335
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2009, 4 hours before
- Departed: CMA, Camarillo, CA
- Destination: L26, Hesperia, CA
- Airport: L26, Hesperia, runway 21, 3,910 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 2,338 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: VCV, 13 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 20091017019369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091017019369A), Oct 17, 2009: Mooney M20J, Hesperia, CA, Substantial damage. Approach to landing right wheel struck a fence, and impacted the ground tail first.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 18, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74914. 557 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 557 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321214&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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