Mooney M20F N9511M

Summary

On 31 December 1992 at about 20:30 local time, a Mooney M20F registered N9511M, operated by Charles Downing, was involved in an accident near So. Lake Tahoe, California, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 December 1992 at 20:30

Classification

Accident

Location

So. Lake Tahoe, California, United States

Nearest airport

South Lake Takhoe (TVL)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Mooney M20F

Registration

N9511M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Charles Downing

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Santa Ana

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX93LA085

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DUE TO GUSTING CROSS WINDS AND ICE ON THE RUNWAY.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT SAID HE DEPARTED FROM THE AIRPORT AND FLEW OUT OVER THE LAKE IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLIMB ABOVE THE CLOUDS SURROUNDING THE LAKE BASIN. AFTER ASCERTAINING THAT THE CLOUD TOPS WERE HIGHER THAN FORECAST, THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT AND LANDED. THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER TOUCHDOWN A SUDDEN GUST OF WIND FROM THE RIGHT SIDE BEGAN PUSHING THE AIRCRAFT TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT SAID HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER IT ENCOUNTERED A PATCH OF BLACK ICE ON THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A SNOW BANK. A RESPONDING FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND THE RUNWAY AND REPORTED FINDING PATCHES OF BLACK ICE ON THE SIDES OF THE RUNWAY.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.