# NTSB WPR10CA038: Mooney M20F, N400EB, Palm Springs, CA, October 29, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 29, 2009, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Palm Springs, CA - Coordinates: 35.400577, -118.759483 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4006&lon=-118.7595&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 19, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74986 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74986/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74986 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA038 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty crosswind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=5870214), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20F, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5870214), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 M20F, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870214), [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-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Mooney M20F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=5870214), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20F, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5870214), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was on final approach and the pilot noted that the winds were affecting the airplane, but he did not believe it was significant enough to perform a go-around. The airplane was about 5 to 10 feet above the runway surface and it encountered a wind shear that pushed the left wing downward. Despite the pilot's efforts, he could not counteract the wind effects. The airplane ground looped with the left wing contacting the ground and it came to rest in the grass adjacent to the runway. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. A weather station 9 nautical miles from the accident site indicated that about 20 minutes after the accident winds were gusting from 14 to 19 knots. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the pilot reported that while entering the traffic pattern at the destination airport, he received an airport advisory reporting winds 280 degrees at 10 to 12 knots. With the airplane on final approach, the pilot noted that the winds were oscillating the airplane but did not believe it was significant enough to perform a go-around. The airplane approached about 5 to 10 feet above the runway surface and encountered a wind shear that pushed the left wing downward. Despite the pilot's efforts, he could not counteract the wind. The airplane ground looped with the left wing contacting the ground; it came to rest in the grass adjacent to the runway. In the section titled "RECOMMENDATION" in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Report, form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that accident could have been prevented if he had performed an "over flight of the airport to ascertain proper wind direction and speed." The pilot further added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. A routine aviation weather report (METAR) at the Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, Palm Springs, California (located 9 nautical miles southeast from the accident site), indicated that about 20 minutes after the accident winds were from 350 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 19 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N400EB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N400EB-2015-05-08), registration cancelled 2015-05-08, S/N 22-0055, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F - 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: 22-0055 - Airframe hours: 5253 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert Hutchinson - Registered owner: Sarratt Gregory W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MRY, Monterey, CA - Destination: UDD, Palm Springs, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: UDD, Bermuda Dunes Airport, runway 28, 5,002 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 1,092 total, 265 in this make and model, 36 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 14 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: TRM, 9 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 20091029021719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091029021719A), Oct 29, 2009: Mooney M20F, Palm Springs, CA, Substantial damage. While landing on runway 28 at the Bermuda Dunes Airport, the left wingtip of the aircraft hit the ground. The aircraft rotated 180 degrees on the runway… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74986. 260 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 260 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322415&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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.