Casualties unknown

2003-04-11: Mooney M20K (N231LS) — West Milford, NJ

West Milford, NJ, US

On April 11, 2003, a Mooney M20K (registration N231LS) was involved in an aviation accident near West Milford, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind and his failure to maintain directional control. Factors in the accident were the crosswind and landing at night. 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 experienced a nose wheel shimmy on landing at another airport. After returning, during landing at home airport, the airplane veered right, the pilot pulled back on the yoke causing a bounce, then landed off-runway and struck rocks.

Event Overview

A pilot was flying from his home airport to another airport to drop off a friend, who was to pick up another airplane. Upon landing at the other airport, the pilot noticed a nose wheel shimmy. He shut down the engine at the fixed base operator, and both he and the other pilot inspected the nose wheel. No issues were found.

Return Flight

When the friend was ready, both pilots departed in their separate airplanes to return to the home airport. The other airplane landed first. The accident pilot flew his approach to runway 6, which is 4,000 feet long, with the flaps set to 20 degrees.

Landing Incident

After touchdown, the nose of the airplane veered to the right. The pilot did not recall any shimmy of the nose wheel during this landing. He pulled back on the yoke to ease the nose up, but pulled back too hard, causing the airplane to become airborne again. He expected to touch down on the runway, but instead the airplane landed between the runway and taxiway, striking rocks.

Pilot's Statements

The pilot reported that he did not experience any other mechanical problems during the landing. He estimated the winds to be variable at 5 knots. Winds reported at the other airport, about 30 miles northeast, were from 120 degrees at 7 knots.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030415X00506. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.