On September 17, 1998, a Mooney M20C (registration N9438V) was involved in an aviation accident near Reno, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a crosswind landing approach, which resulted in the left wing striking the ground. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot struggled with crosswind control on short final, asked a passenger for help, and crashed when the left wing struck the ground during the landing phase.
What happened
The pilot was conducting a landing approach in conditions characterized by a significant crosswind. While maneuvering to align with the runway on short final, the pilot reported experiencing difficulty maintaining control of the aircraft due to the wind conditions. Recognizing the challenge, the pilot requested assistance from a passenger seated in the right front seat who held a pilot rating.
Before the passenger could take control of the flight controls, the left wing of the aircraft made contact with the ground. The incident occurred during the landing phase of the flight.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a crosswind landing approach, which resulted in the left wing striking the ground.