# NTSB WPR21LA148: Mooney M20J, N9146Q, Alturas, CA, March 27, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 27, 2021, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Alturas, CA · N41°29.42' W120°34.41' - Coordinates: 41.515, -120.55 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5150&lon=-120.5500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102829 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102829/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA148 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper landing flare which resulted in a bounced landing, loss of airplane control and subsequent collision with terrain. ## 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 · Student/instructed 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: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (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) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); 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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane touched down on the main landing gear and bounced twice. He initiated a go-around, but the airplane did not have enough airspeed. The airplane drifted to the left and the left wing contacted the ground. The airplane slid off the side of the runway and collided with terrain. Both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9146Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9146Q), registered now, S/N 24-3384, built 1996 (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: 24-3384 - Year built: 1996 - Airframe hours: 2167.6 - Engines: LYCOMING I0360 A3B6 SER A&C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 2020 - Departed: KLKV, Lakeview, OR - Destination: KAAT, Alturas, CA - Airport: KAAT, Alturas Muni, runway 31, 4,228 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 51; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 132.8 total, 118.4 in this make and model, 34.9 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: KAAT, 0.5 nm away - METAR: METAR KAAT 272055Z AUTO VRB05KT 10SM CLR 17/M06 A3034 RMK AO2 SLP273 T01671061 57011= ## 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 20210327004969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210327004969A), Mar 27, 2021: Mooney M20J, Alturas, CA, Substantial damage. The student pilot reported "too fast on landing" and attempted a go-around. The pilot lost control of the aircraft and damaged the left wing and landing gear.… 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.