Cessna 182J and Mooney M20C mid-air collision near Iowa Falls, Iowa, July 31, 2009
On July 31, 2009 at about 6:54 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Cessna 182J (N989TP) and Mooney M20C (N3206F), were involved in a mid-air collision near Iowa Falls, Iowa (Iowa Falls Airport). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Both pilots' failure to execute adequate visual lookout, resulting in the two airplanes colliding over the runway.
Both pilots' failure to execute adequate visual lookout, resulting in the two airplanes colliding over the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 31, 2009 · about 6:54 pm local time
- Place
- Iowa Falls, Iowa · Iowa Falls Airport · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Cessna 182J · all 182Js on the register
- Registration
- N989TP · no longer on the register · serial 18257006
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Mooney M20C · all M20Cs on the register
- Registration
- N3206F · no longer on the register · serial 680001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 182J final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Cessna pilot stated that he announced his position on the approach to the airport starting about 11 miles out and continuing until he was on final approach. While on final, he noticed a Swift airplane holding on the taxiway for runway 31. He said that he heard a radio transmission that stated, “There are two airplanes landing.” He said that he immediately heard and felt a bang. He reported, “My aircraft turned sideways some and came on down to the runway.” The pilot of the other aircraft, a Mooney, stated that he announced his position on the approach to the airport while entering the downwind for runway 31. He said, “The only traffic observed was an airplane holding at taxiway intersection.” He said that he was ready to reduce power to land when his left wing rose violently. He stated that he lost consciousness, woke up thinking of fire, turned off switches, and became unconscious again before waking up in the emergency room. He reported that the purpose of the flight was to get the airplane to the airport for its annual inspection. An examination of the Mooney showed collision witness marks on its upper surfaces indicative of the Cessna impacting from above. An examination of the Cessna showed collision witness marks on its lower surfaces. 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.113 states, in part, "When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of-way but it shall not take advantage of this rule to cut in front of another which is on final approach to land or to overtake that aircraft."
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the Mooney M20C final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Cessna pilot stated that he announced his position on the approach to the airport starting about 11 miles out and continuing until he was on final approach. While on final, he noticed a Swift airplane holding on the taxiway for runway 31. He said that he heard a radio transmission that stated, “There are two airplanes landing.” He said that he immediately heard and felt a bang. He reported, “My aircraft turned sideways some and came on down to the runway.” The pilot of the other aircraft, a Mooney, stated that he announced his position on the approach to the airport while entering the downwind for runway 31. He said, “The only traffic observed was an airplane holding at taxiway intersection.” He said that he was ready to reduce power to land when his left wing rose violently. He stated that he lost consciousness, woke up thinking of fire, turned off switches, and became unconscious again before waking up in the emergency room. He reported that the purpose of the flight was to get the airplane to the airport for its annual inspection. An examination of the Mooney showed collision witness marks on its upper surfaces indicative of the Cessna impacting from above. An examination of the Cessna showed collision witness marks on its lower surfaces. 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.113 states, in part, "When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of-way but it shall not take advantage of this rule to cut in front of another which is on final approach to land or to overtake that aircraft."
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Cessna 182J from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot of other aircraft
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 363 hours in all; 313 in this make and model; 58 in the last 90 days; 28 in the last 30 days; 303 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 28, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,878 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470-50 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Y48 Belmond IA at 6:40 pm
- Destination: IFA Iowa Falls IA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 4,001 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 239° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,300 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 6:55 pm from IFA, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Mooney M20C from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot of other aircraft
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot of other aircraft
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 810 hours in all; 422 in this make and model; 0 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: June 15, 1998
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,850 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 24, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 2,575 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 6C0 Eldora IA at 6:50 pm
- Destination: IFA Iowa Falls IA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 4,001 ft by 75 ft
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.