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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 11, 1995 · Mooney M20A · N8378E

Rock Springs, WY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 11, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Rock Springs, WY
Aircraft
Mooney M20A
Tail Number
N8378E
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA95LA180

INTERSECTING RUNWAYS 09-27 AND 03-21 WERE CLOSED DUE TO CONSTRUCTION, AND A PARALLEL TAXIWAY FOR RUNWAY 09-27 HAD BEEN APPROVED FOR USE AS A TEMPORARY RUNWAY. DURING TAKEOFF ON THE TEMPORARY RUNWAY, THE AIRCRAFT BECAME PREMATURELY AIRBORNE WHEN IT CROSSED THE CROWNED INTERSECTING TAXIWAY. DURING THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH AN AIRPORT INFORMATION SIGN AND SKIDDED TO REST. NO INFORMATION WAS MADE AVAILABLE TO PILOTS BY THE AIRPORT REGARDING THE CROWNED CONDITION OF THE TAXIWAY, AND NO FAA AIRPORTS PERSONNEL INSPECTED THE TEMPORARY RUNWAY NOTING THE CROWNED CONDITION.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS INCLUDE THE UNEVEN RUNWAY CONDITION, THE INFORMATION REGARDING THE CROWNED CONDITION NOT BEING DISSEMINATED BY AIRPORT PERSONNEL, AND THE INADEQUATE REVIEW/INSPECTION OF THE CONDITION BY FAA AIRPORT PERSONNEL.

Full Narrative

On August 11, 1995, at 1445 hours mountain daylight time, a Mooney M20A, N8378E, was substantially damaged during a loss of control on takeoff following an encounter with uneven terrain at the Rock Springs Municipal Airport, Rock Springs, Wyoming. The private pilot and passenger were uninjured. The business flight was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and was destined for Gillette, Wyoming. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. Intersecting runways 09/27 and 03/21 were closed (NOTAM issued) at Rock Springs due to construction and the airport had received authorization to conduct takeoff/landing operations from the parallel taxiway for runway 09/27. The authorization was provided by the FAA's project manager for the Rock Springs airport, an engineer attached to the FAA's Denver Airports District Office. The pilot reported that he commenced his takeoff roll from taxiway A-2 (refer to attached diagram) and that, upon passing into the crossing intersection of taxiway A-3 the aircraft encountered a "crown" in the temporary runway surface at 65 to 70 knots airspeed. The airplane was launched into the air without enough speed to remain airborne. The pilot stated that the airplane hit the ground and bounced back up into the air, off the north side of the temporary runway. During the second ground impact the aircraft struck an informational sign and then skidded to rest between the temporary and permanent runways 09/27. No information was made available to pilots by the airport regarding the crowned condition of taxiway A-3 during takeoffs/ landings. No FAA airports personnel inspected the temporary runway where it crosses taxiway A-3 noting the crowned condition.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 MDT
Nearest AirportSweetwater County (0nm)
Runway0
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20A
Tail NumberN8378E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility90 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data