Casualties unknown

1998-05-17: Mooney M20F (N6444Q) — Geoffrey C. Norris — Telluride, CO

Telluride, CO, US

On May 17, 1998, a Mooney M20F (registration N6444Q) operated by Geoffrey C. Norris was involved in an aviation accident near Telluride, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot exceeded the crosswind capability performance of the aircraft, and his delayed response in initiating a go around. Factors were gusty, crosswind and tailwind conditions, and high density altitude. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

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

A pilot, advised of winds favoring runway 9, later received a wind shift report. After touchdown the aircraft became airborne, then following a go-around it landed in a drainage ditch. The propeller was destroyed and the wings and lower fuselage sustained substantial damage.

Sequence of Events

According to the pilot, prior to landing he contacted the airport for a weather advisory and was told that the winds were favoring runway 9. Shortly before touchdown, he received a report on the radio that the wind had shifted to 220 degrees at 20 knots with gusts to 25 knots. The airplane touched down, and as it was rolling out, it became airborne. The pilot applied full power and retracted the landing gear. He flew the aircraft approximately halfway down the runway at about 20 feet above the ground, then hit the ground, bounced once, and landed in a drainage ditch.

Environmental Conditions

The calculated density altitude at the time was 11,041 feet above mean sea level. The angle between the runway and the wind was 130 degrees. Given the reported wind speed of 20 knots with gusts to 25 knots, the crosswind and tailwind component values fell off the wind component chart. The values at the chart limits are 12 knots for crosswind and 10 knots for tailwind.

Aircraft Performance Data

According to Mooney Aircraft Flight Test, the demonstrated crosswind component is 13 knots and there is no demonstrated tailwind component.

Damage

The propeller was destroyed, and the wings and lower fuselage sustained substantial damage.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X10076. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.