# NTSB WPR18CA085: Mooney M20J, N925JH, Newport, OR, February 7, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 6, 2018, 22:00 local (Feb 7, 2018, 06:00 UTC)
- Place: Newport, OR
- Coordinates: 44.580276, -124.057777
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5803&lon=-124.0578&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: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 14, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96713
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR18CA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96713/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96713
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18CA085

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper approach and landing flare in dark night, which resulted in a bounced landing.

## Findings

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

- [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)
- [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)
- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The commercial pilot reported that, during a night personal flight, he was cleared for an instrument landing system approach. The pilot disconnected the autopilot at 1,500 ft mean sea level (msl), and he had the runway in sight at 1,000 ft msl. The pilot reported that the approach was continued, and the airplane crossed the runway threshold too high and fast. When the airplane touched down, it bounced at least twice before he added power in an effort to regain control. On the third or fourth bounce, the right main and nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane slid off the side of the runway, coming to rest on the grass. The right wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The commercial pilot reported that during a night personal flight, he was cleared for an instrument landing system approach. The pilot disconnected the autopilot at 1,500 ft mean sea level (msl), and he had the runway in site at 1,000 ft msl. The pilot reported that the approach was continued, and the airplane crossed the runway threshold too high and fast. When the airplane touched down, it bounced at least twice before he added power in an effort to regain control. On the third or fourth bounce, the right main and nose gear collapsed. The airplane slid off the side of the runway, coming to rest on the grass. The right wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N925JH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N925JH), registered now, S/N 24-3329, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J (NO SERIES)
- 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: 24-3329
- Year built: 1994
- Airframe hours: 2623
- Engines: LYCOMING IO360 A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 2017, 445 hours before
- Departed: KEUG, Eugene, OR
- Destination: KONP, Newport, OR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: KONP, Newport Municipal Airport, runway 16, 5,398 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 12, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,079 total, 68 in this make and model, 892 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night
- Wind: 90° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 0.5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.42 inHg
- Observed at: KNOP

## 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 20180206002039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180206002039A), Feb 6, 2018: Mooney M20J, Newport, OR, Substantial damage. PIC on ILS approach landing on runway 16 at onp, in IMC, low visibilty conditions. The airplane was fast on approach. The airplane touched down and bounced…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 24, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96713. 7.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 908 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462265&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Landing Sketch (item 2, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462267&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Landing%20Sketch-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Wormley) (item 3, .PDF, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462268&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Wormley)-Master.PDF
- Flight Tracking (item 4, KML, 158 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462269&FileExtension=kml&FileName=Flight%20Tracking-Master
- Audio File (item 5, MP3, 6.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462273&FileExtension=mp3&FileName=Audio%20File-Master
- Accident Photos (item 6, .PDF, 405 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462274&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.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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