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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 22, 1985 · Mooney M20K · N3866H

Durango, CO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 22, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Durango, CO
Aircraft
Mooney M20K
Tail Number
N3866H
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN85LA198

THE PLT REPORTED THAT PRIOR TO LANDING, THE UNICOM OPERATOR REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTHWEST AT 10 TO 20 KTS & WAS GUSTY. ALSO, HE SAID THAT WHILE ON BASE LEG, HE ENCOUNTERED A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT. HE STATED THAT HE APPLIED PWR & RETRACTED THE FLAPS TO ARREST THE SINK RATE. HOWEVER, THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK THE GROUND ABOUT 5 FT SHORT OF THE RWY, DAMAGED THE LANDING GEAR, COLLIDED WITH APCH/RWY LIGHTS & SLID ABOUT 170 ON ITS BELLY BEFORE COMING TO REST ON THE RWY. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT TANK WHICH WAS EMPTY. FUEL WAS STILL REMAINING IN THE LEFT TANK. ALSO, THE PROP BORE EVIDENCE OF LITTLE OR NO ROTATION AT IMPACT. ABOUT 8 MI EAST-SOUTHEAST AT THE LA PLATA ARPT, THE 1455 MDT WIND WAS FROM 020 DEG AT 5 KTS. THE DENSITY ALT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 8478 FT.

Full Narrative

THE PLT REPORTED THAT PRIOR TO LANDING, THE UNICOM OPERATOR REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTHWEST AT 10 TO 20 KTS & WAS GUSTY. ALSO, HE SAID THAT WHILE ON BASE LEG, HE ENCOUNTERED A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT. HE STATED THAT HE APPLIED PWR & RETRACTED THE FLAPS TO ARREST THE SINK RATE. HOWEVER, THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK THE GROUND ABOUT 5 FT SHORT OF THE RWY, DAMAGED THE LANDING GEAR, COLLIDED WITH APCH/RWY LIGHTS & SLID ABOUT 170 ON ITS BELLY BEFORE COMING TO REST ON THE RWY. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT TANK WHICH WAS EMPTY. FUEL WAS STILL REMAINING IN THE LEFT TANK. ALSO, THE PROP BORE EVIDENCE OF LITTLE OR NO ROTATION AT IMPACT. ABOUT 8 MI EAST-SOUTHEAST AT THE LA PLATA ARPT, THE 1455 MDT WIND WAS FROM 020 DEG AT 5 KTS. THE DENSITY ALT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 8478 FT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:12 MDT
Nearest AirportANIMAS (0nm N)
Runway1
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20K
Tail NumberN3866H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-GB1 · Reciprocating · 210
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data