Pilot Debrief

MOONEY M20F near Palm Springs, CA — 2009-10-29

Final reportWPR10CA038
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Date
2009-10-29
Location
Palm Springs, CA, USA
Airport
UDD
Aircraft
MOONEY M20F
Registration
N400EB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty crosswind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control.

NTSB narrative

The airplane was on final approach and the pilot noted that the winds were affecting the airplane, but he did not believe it was significant enough to perform a go-around. The airplane was about 5 to 10 feet above the runway surface and it encountered a wind shear that pushed the left wing downward. Despite the pilot's efforts, he could not counteract the wind effects. The airplane ground looped with the left wing contacting the ground and it came to rest in the grass adjacent to the runway. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. A weather station 9 nautical miles from the accident site indicated that about 20 minutes after the accident winds were gusting from 14 to 19 knots.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have overflown the airport to check wind direction and speed.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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