Casualties unknown

1995-07-11: Mooney M20J (N43JA) — Belmar, NJ

Belmar, NJ, US

On July 11, 1995, a Mooney M20J (registration N43JA) was involved in an aviation accident near Belmar, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's (1) misjudged flare (2) inadequate recovery from a bounced landing (3) failure to maintain directional control and the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During a recurrency checkout, a commercial pilot conducting a touch and go landing experienced a bounce, applied power, then swerved left, striking a parked aircraft and coming to rest on an embankment. Elevator trim was found full nose-up.

Incident Overview

A dual student pilot, who held a commercial certificate with 1,352 hours of total flight time including 350 hours in the same make and model, was receiving a recurrency checkout from a certified flight instructor. The student had not flown in approximately 11 months prior to the event.

Sequence of Events

During the third touch and go landing of the session, the airplane exited the left side of the runway. It subsequently struck a parked airplane and came to rest on an embankment. According to the instructor, the airplane was in a nose-high attitude when it bounced on landing. Engine power was then applied in an attempt to lower the nose, but the airplane swerved to the left and departed the runway.

Post-Incident Findings

Examination of the airplane revealed that the elevator trim was set in the full nose-up position.

Conclusion

The incident involved a bounce followed by a swerve and runway excursion. The instructor's account and the discovered trim setting are documented facts from the investigation. No further analysis or causal determination is provided beyond the observed conditions.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X04058. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.