Loss of Control on Ground: Mooney M20K, N3928H; accident occurred March 06, 2020 at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (KMSY), Louisiana

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N3928H

Location: New Orleans, LA 
Accident Number: CEN20CA115
Date & Time: 03/06/2020, 2243 CST
Registration: N3928H
Aircraft: Mooney M20K
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

According to the pilot, the air traffic tower controller requested that he "keep up the speed" and execute a "close approach" before landing. During the landing roll at night, the pilot attempted to exit the runway at an excessive speed, and the airplane "began to tilt to the right." He tried to steer the airplane back to the runway, but the airplane exited the runway and impacted a taxiway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's improper decision to turn the airplane from the runway onto the taxiway at an excessive speed, which resulted in a loss of directional control, runway excursion, and collision with a taxiway sign.

Findings

Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot

Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained

Aircraft Surface speed/braking - Not attained/maintained

Environmental issues Sign/marker - Effect on operation

Environmental issues Dark - Effect on personnel

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Landing-landing roll Runway excursion

Landing-landing roll Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 51, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied:Left 
Other Aircraft Rating(s):None 
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/15/2020
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/04/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 106.3 hours (Total, all aircraft), 40.9 hours (Total, this make and model), 47.2 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 18.5 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5.6 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 5.6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Mooney
Registration: N3928H
Model/Series: M20K No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1979
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 25-0220
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats:4 
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/01/2020, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2900 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: TSIO-360-6BCL
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power:231 hp 
Operator:On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMSY, 4 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0353 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 283°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 25000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 340°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.21 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Mobile, AL (BFM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: New Orleans, LA (MSY)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 2115 EST
Type of Airspace: Class B

Airport Information

Airport: LOUIS ARMSTRONG NEW ORLEANS IN (MSY)
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 3 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 02
IFR Approach:None 
Runway Length/Width: 7001 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Straight-in

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries:1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 29.993333, -90.259167 (est)