Casualties unknown

1993-06-09: Mooney M20J (N1157B) — David B. Wakefield — New Haven, CT

New Haven, CT, US

On June 9, 1993, a Mooney M20J (registration N1157B) operated by David B. Wakefield was involved in an aviation accident near New Haven, CT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE LOSS OF AIRPLANE CONTROL AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT ENCOUNTERING SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE LOW AMBIENT LIGHT CONDITIONS AND THE LACK OF RUNWAY END IDENTIFIER LIGHTS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot completed a touch-and-go from a simulated engine-out approach, then requested a short approach to another runway. The airplane struck brush and cartwheeled across a road, leaving propeller marks. Engine examination found no anomalies.

Sequence of Events

The pilot executed a touch-and-go landing on Runway 20 following a simulated engine-out approach. During the upwind leg, the pilot requested a short approach to land on Runway 32. Air traffic control cleared the flight to land on Runway 32. The airplane was last observed beginning a left crosswind turn.

Subsequently, the airplane impacted brush and cartwheeled across a road. The impact left propeller strike marks on the road surface.

Aftermath

Examination of the propeller revealed that one blade was bent forward, and the tip of the other blade was severed. The severed end exhibited signs of deformation and bending moments forward across the chord of the blade.

The engine was examined and no anomalies were found.

Environmental Factors

The departure from Runway 20, with a left turn toward Runway 32, allows a pilot a view of Long Island Sound and the lights from the shore of Long Island, less than 20 miles away. Runway 32 was not equipped with a Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) or Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL).

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X12694. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.