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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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NTSB Report

May 24, 1998 · Mooney M20F · N6476Q

Moriarty, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 24, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Moriarty, NM
Aircraft
Mooney M20F
Tail Number
N6476Q
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW98LA246

UNICOM advised the pilot that the wind was from 270 degrees at 10 knots. Runway 26 (7,700 ft. x 75 ft., asphalt) was the active runway. Two 'notches' of flaps and an approach speed between 80 and 85 mph were used. The pilot said that just before touchdown, approximately 10 feet above the ground, he 'noticed the right wing quickly and suddenly rotate down approximately 45 degrees.' He then felt the 'right gear wheel strike the ground. The aircraft then bounced to the left gear(,) then settled to the runway without striking the nose gear or the tail . . . The aircraft did not yaw prior to the right wing striking the ground.' A sailplane pilot, who landed behind the airplane, reported experiencing 'an immediate and sudden updraft at the threshold of runway 26 that increased (my) altitude 15 feet.'

NTSB Probable Cause

the unfavorable wind condition, and failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for the wind condition during the landing flare.

Full Narrative

On May 24, 1998, approximately 1145 mountain daylight time, a Mooney M20F, N6476Q, was substantially damaged when the right wing struck the runway during landing at Moriarty, New Mexico. The private pilot and a commercial pilot-rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Albuquerque, New Mexico, approximately 1050. According to the pilot, the flight from Albuquerque's Double Eagle Airport was uneventful. Moriarty UNICOM advised him that the wind was from 270 degrees at 10 knots. Runway 26 (7,700 ft. x 75 ft., asphalt) was the active runway. Two "notches" of flaps and an approach speed between 80 and 85 mph were used. Just prior to touchdown, approximately 10 feet above the ground, he "noticed the right wing quickly and suddenly rotate down approximately 45 degrees. Then I felt right gear wheel strike the ground. The aircraft then bounced to the left gear then settled to the runway without striking the nose gear or the tail. . .The aircraft did not yaw prior to the right wing striking the ground. (I told) my brother that I thought the right wing had struck the ground and he confirmed it visually." The pilot said he spoke to the pilot of a sailplane that landed shortly thereafter and on the same runway. The sailplane pilot told him he had "experienced an immediate and sudden updraft at the threshold of runway 26 that increased his altitude 15 feet." A statement submitted by the commercial pilot-rated passenger, the brother of the pilot, corroborated that pilot's statement. A statement submitted by the sailplane pilot indicated he encountered "a large thermal gust." Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing front spar was bent and the rear spar was cracked. The right wing tip was scraped, and there was skin damage to the right wing at the aileron. Both wheel skirts were bent and scraped.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 MDT
Nearest AirportMORIARTY (0nm)
Runway26
Runway Length7700 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20F
Tail NumberN6476Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:57
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data