Mooney M20J accident near Greenfield, Indiana, May 13, 2011
On May 13, 2011 at about 2:30 pm local time, a Mooney M20J, registered N10143, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi near Greenfield, Indiana (Indianapolis Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a communications cart while taxiing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 13, 2011 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Greenfield, Indiana · Indianapolis Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20J · all M20Js on the register
- Registration
- N10143 · registry record · serial 24-1107
- 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 he was taxiing to the ramp after landing when he heard ground controllers instruct another airplane to hold short to allow his airplane to pass. The pilot stated that he moved to the right for more clearance between the other airplane and his. The right wingtip of the airplane struck a remote communications cart that was placed at the edge of the taxiway. The accident airplane suffered substantial damage to the right wing. The outboard 2 to 3 feet of the leading edge of the right wing was crushed rearward causing damage to the wing skin, ribs, and spar. After the accident, the remote communications cart was moved farther from the edge of the taxiway.
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
- Ground collision during taxi defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Towing and taxiing › Taxiing › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 543 hours in all; 119 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: September 23, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,745 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 23, 2010; 46 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,740 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO360 SER A&C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RZL Rensselaer IN
- Destination: MQJ Greenfield IN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.75 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KGEZ, 16 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.