Mooney M20F N3492N
15 September 1991 · Kent, Washington, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 15 September 1991 at about 00:25 local time, a Mooney M20F registered N3492N, operated by William E. Claussen, was involved in an accident near Kent, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 00:25
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Kent, Washington, United States
- Nearest airport
- Crest Airpark (S36)
- Coordinates
- 47.3590, -122.1001
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20F
- Registration
- N3492N
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- William E. Claussen
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Yelm → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- SEA91LA236
People
2 people had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Probable cause
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT DURING THE LANDING AND GO-AROUND (ABORTED LANDING). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE AND IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN A PORPOISE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING A LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A PORPOISE AND BEGAN DRIFTING TO THE LEFT. HE TRIED TO RE-ALIGN THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE RUNWAY, THEN INITIATED A GO-AROUND. THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO CLIMB; HOWEVER, IT CONTINUED DRIFTING LEFT, HIT TREES ABOUT 15 FT BELOW THE TOPS AND CRASHED.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Mooney M20F accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Jan 1991 | Mooney M20F | Pageland, South Carolina, United States | Blackwell, Billy | Fatal | 2 |
| 24 Aug 1991 | Mooney M20F | Meadville, Pennsylvania, United States | James H. Flynn | Serious injuries | - |
| 2 May 1991 | Mooney M20F | Quincy, California, United States | James I./Michele G. Johnson | Fatal | 4 |
| 14 Jul 1990 | Mooney M20F | Torrington, Wyoming, United States | B & L Aviation, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 31 Dec 1992 | Mooney M20F | So. Lake Tahoe, California, United States | Charles Downing | No injuries | - |
| 23 Jul 1992 | Mooney M20F | Eufaula, Alabama, United States | Brown, Carl A. | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 1991 | Bell BH-47G2A | Waitsburg, Washington, United States | Waitsburg Helicopter Service | No injuries | - |
| 6 Apr 1991 | Robinson R22 BETA | Kent, Washington, United States | Classic Helicopter | No injuries | - |
| 6 Apr 1991 | Grumman American AA-1C | Wenatchee, Washington, United States | James Q. Baxter | No injuries | - |
| 12 Apr 1991 | Aeronca 11AC | Port Orchard, Washington, United States | John D. Gracie | No injuries | - |
| 13 Apr 1991 | Cessna C-172N | Ellensburg, Washington, United States | Interwest Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 17 Apr 1991 | Grumman G-21A | Spokane, Washington, United States | Loel Fenwick | No injuries | - |