On October 19, 1990, a Mooney M20/231 (registration N1002X) operated by Edwards Flying Svc was involved in an aviation accident near Stockton, MO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN VSO (MINIMUM CONTROLLABLE AIRSPEED) IN A LANDING CONFIGURATION. AN ASSOCIATED FACTOR IS THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a night landing approach, the pilot saw trees 20 feet below, pitched nose up, heard stall warning, then cut power, resulting in a hard landing.
Incident Details
A pilot reported seeing trees approximately 20 feet below the airplane while on a night landing approach. The pilot stated that he pitched the airplane's nose upward to increase clearance from the trees. Immediately thereafter, he heard the stall warning horn. He added power, and then 'cut power' as he reached the runway. The airplane continued its rapid rate of descent and landed hard.
Pilot Actions
The pilot's actions during the approach included pitching the nose up after observing the trees, which triggered the stall warning. He then added power but subsequently reduced power upon reaching the runway. The airplane's descent rate remained high, leading to a hard landing.
Pilot Comments
The pilot stated that the accident could have been avoided if he had elected to perform a go-around, or if he had not pitched the nose of the airplane upward. No other factors or causes were mentioned in the report.