NTSB CEN23LA289 — 2023-07-08 · Frankston, Texas, United States

Current FAA registration · N8335E

Make / Model: MOONEY M20A
Year of manufacture: 1959 · 64 years old at event
Engine: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER (180 hp)
Seats / Engines: 4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19591001
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S AB668B

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N8335E Mooney M20A None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.

Factual narrative

During landing, the airplane drifted right of the runway centerline. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane exited the runway and impacted a tree and a parked golfcart. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot noted that he had limited function of his left leg and was unable to apply sufficient left rudder input to maintain directional control. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained
— Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2023_CEN23LA289.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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