Mooney M20F N9954L

Summary

On 2 August 2024 at about 19:04 local time, a Mooney M20F registered N9954L was involved in an accident near Carrizozo, New Mexico, 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

2 August 2024 at 19:04

Classification

Accident

Location

Carrizozo, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Carrizozo Muni (F37)

Coordinates

33.6489, -105.8962

Aircraft

Mooney M20F

Registration

N9954L

Category

Airplane

Year built

1967

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Carrizozo → Santa Fe

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR24LA264

Nobody was injured.

The airplane’s encounter with a downdraft after takeoff, which resulted in a forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the airplane reported that, prior to takeoff, he observed adverse weather conditions that were approaching the airport from about 5 to 10 nautical miles away. During takeoff, when the airplane was about 50 feet above the ground, the airplane encountered a downdraft. The airplane’s left wing then dropped and the airplane entered a descent. The airplane impacted terrain and fences, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.