Mooney M20M accident near Port Clinton, Ohio, June 4, 2010
On June 4, 2010, a Mooney M20M, registered N1054B, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Port Clinton, Ohio (Carl R Keller Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s delayed decision to abort the landing and his failure to properly reconfigure the airplane during the aborted landing attempt.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 4, 2010
- Place
- Port Clinton, Ohio · Carl R Keller Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20M · all M20Ms on the register
- Registration
- N1054B · no longer on the register · serial 27-0317
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that when the flight was 15-20 miles south of the airport, the airport’s automated weather station broadcast indicated that the surface winds were light and out of the west. However, subsequent broadcasts indicated that the wind was from the north and then out of the south. The pilot canceled his instrument clearance before entering a left downwind for runway 18 (4,001 feet by 75 feet). He stated that after turning onto final approach he applied full landing flaps and deployed the speed brakes in order to bleed off some excessive airspeed. As the airplane passed over the 1,000 foot runway distance marker, he recognized that the airplane was landing downwind. The pilot stated that the airplane touched down after crossing midfield, after which he briefly applied brake pressure before deciding to abort the landing attempt. He kept the airplane on the runway as it accelerated, rotating and achieving liftoff toward the end of the runway. The airplane then impacted one of the 18-inch high runway end identifier lights located at the departure threshold. The pilot stated that after liftoff the engine did not appear to be producing maximum power and that there was a continual drop in airspeed. The pilot was unable to establish an adequate climb, so he made a left turn in an attempt to avoid some trees and an elevated roadway. The airplane continued to lose airspeed as it descended into a tree line located about 1,000 feet off the end of the runway. The pilot noted that the lack of engine power was likely the result of an improper propeller and/or mixture control setting during the aborted landing. The pilot also noted that he did not retract the wing flaps and landing gear during the aborted landing attempt. He further stated that his delayed decision to abort the landing contributed to the accident. A postaccident inspection did not reveal any preaccident anomalies that would have prevented the normal operation of the airplane or its engine. Local weather stations indicated that the prevailing wind was an onshore breeze from the north between 2 and 7 knots.
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 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Other weather encounter during landing
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Propeller system › Propeller controlling system › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › TE flap control system › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Gear extension and retract sys › Not used/operated
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Variable wind › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Awareness of condition
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,189 hours in all; 408 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 2,100 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 23, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 780 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 3, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 3,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-AF1B (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Bonita Resources Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: KOSU Columbus OH at 11:21 pm
- Destination: KPCW Port Clinton OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 18, 4,001 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.76 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from KTDZ, 28 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
