Mooney M20R accident near Kerrville, Texas, June 24, 2004
On June 24, 2004 at about 8:15 pm local time, a Mooney M20R, registered N9147H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Kerrville, Texas. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to compensate for existing wind conditions. Contributing factors were the gusty high winds.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 24, 2004 · about 8:15 pm local time
- Place
- Kerrville, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20R · all M20Rs on the register
- Registration
- N9147H · registry record · serial 29-014 3
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was practicing approaches into the airport, planned a full stop and layover until the weather conditions improved at the destination airport. The pilot stated that the localizer approach for runway 30 was flown with the VASI lights indicating slightly high. The airplane was "established and stable" on the approach. The pilot noted that his speed over the threshold was 80 knots, and at touchdown his speed was approximately 75 knots. The airplane "ballooned" with the right wing rising about 30 degrees, and full power was applied with right aileron and rudder. The airplane was turning left and sinking as it was accelerating. It touched down on the left wheel and bounced in the grass left of the runway. The nose of the airplane was lowered in an attempt to gain speed, but recovery from the left turn was not possible with the limited altitude. The pilot added that he appeared to have made the approach "into a localized microburst caused by unstable air in the area." Witnesses at the airport reported that "dramatic wind shifts" and gusty winds prevailed at the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed structural damage to the left wing. The automated weather service at Kerrville Municipal Airport (KERV), at 1525, reported the wind from 240 degrees at 6 knots, 10 statute miles visiblity, scattered ceiling at 8,000 feet, ceiling broken at 9,000 feet, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.02 inches of Mercury. The temperature was 77 degrees Fahrenheit, and the dew point was 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The remarks reported lightning distant south.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 272 hours in all; 63 in this make and model; 19 in the last 90 days; 28 in the last 30 days; 187 as pilot in command; 176 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 406.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 12, 2003; 406.2 hours since
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550 G5B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SAT San Antonio TX at 5:30 pm
- Destination: Kerrville TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 9,000 ft; scat at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 3:25 pm from ERV
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.