Casualties unknown

2004-08-04: Mooney M20R (N4157) — Aspen, CO

Aspen, CO, US

On August 4, 2004, a Mooney M20R (registration N4157) was involved in an aviation accident near Aspen, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing factors was the pilot flaring the airplane too high, his misunderstanding of the instructor's attempt to take control of the airplane. 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

During a sales demonstration flight, a Mooney aircraft experienced a tail strike and propeller strike on landing after the pilot raised the nose against the instructor's inputs, leading to a bounced landing and engine stoppage.

Incident Overview

A flight instructor was conducting a sales demonstration flight for a potential customer, who was serving as the pilot. The instructor reported that the pilot was fully aware that the instructor could assume control of the aircraft at any time by stating "my aircraft."

Flight and Approach

The flight to the destination was uneventful. During the approach, the crew was advised that the wind was from 330 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 15 knots, and that low-level wind shear was present. They extended the downwind leg and performed a 360-degree turn to lose altitude.

Landing Attempt

On final approach to runway 15, the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) showed a normal Mooney approach: a descent rate of 400 feet per minute and an indicated airspeed of 90 knots. Due to the tailwind, the aircraft crossed the runway threshold "a little high" and faster than normal.

At about 12 feet above the runway, the pilot raised the aircraft's nose to flare for landing. The airspeed dropped rapidly. The instructor told the pilot to relinquish control and attempted to push the control yoke forward. The pilot interpreted the instructor's control inputs as an attempt to assist with the landing and continued raising the nose. The stall warning horn sounded.

As the pilot held the nose-high attitude, the instructor applied full power "to keep the nose from falling over from the impending stall." The tail struck the runway, causing the airplane to bounce. Subsequently, the propeller struck the runway, stopping the engine.

Aftermath

The airplane coasted off the runway onto a taxiway. No further information about injuries or aircraft damage was provided in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20041008X01607. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.