On May 24, 1998, a Mooney M20F (registration N6476Q) was involved in an aviation accident near Moriarty, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the unfavorable wind condition, and failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for the wind condition during the landing flare. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported a sudden 45-degree right wing drop and gear strike during landing, while a sailplane pilot observed an updraft at the threshold.
Incident Overview
A pilot landing on Runway 26 at an airport experienced a sudden loss of roll control just before touchdown. The aircraft was configured with two notches of flaps and an approach speed between 80 and 85 mph. The pilot stated that approximately 10 feet above the ground, the right wing quickly and suddenly rotated downward about 45 degrees. He then felt the right main landing gear strike the runway. The aircraft bounced onto the left gear before settling without contacting the nose or tail. The pilot noted that no yaw occurred before the wing drop.
Wind and Updraft Report
Prior to the incident, UNICOM had advised the pilot that the wind was from 270 degrees at 10 knots. A sailplane pilot who landed behind the airplane reported experiencing an immediate and sudden updraft at the threshold of Runway 26 that increased his altitude by 15 feet.
Aircraft and Runway Details
The active runway was Runway 26, measuring 7,700 feet long and 75 feet wide, with an asphalt surface.