Casualties unknown

2004-08-11: Mooney M20J (N201AM) — Huntington, IN

Huntington, IN, US

On August 11, 2004, a Mooney M20J (registration N201AM) was involved in an aviation accident near Huntington, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Encountering wind shear during the aborted landing resulted in the collision with terrain. 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

An airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during an aborted landing. The flight, a biennial flight review under dual instruction, experienced a balloon, stall horn, drift, bounce, and then an unintentional descent. Pilot and instructor reported wind shear as the cause.

Accident Overview

The airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during an aborted landing. The purpose of the flight was to meet the dual-instruction flight requirements of a biennial flight review. The flight was conducted in visual meteorological conditions, with reported local surface winds from 250 degrees at 11 knots.

Flight Details

The pilot performed a simulated forced landing to runway 27, which measured 5,001 feet by 75 feet and consisted of dry asphalt. During the landing flare, the airplane experienced a slight balloon. The flight instructor noted that the aircraft's stall horn sounded as the airplane began to sink back to the runway, at which point full engine power was applied and takeoff flaps were verified.

Events During Landing

After power application, the airplane drifted and contacted the right (north) edge of the runway. The pilot stated that the increase in engine torque caused the airplane's heading to change from west-northwest to southwest. Subsequently, the airplane experienced a slight bounce, touching again briefly on the south (left) edge of the runway. The pilot then established a climb to treetop level while traveling on a southwesterly heading.

Collision with Terrain

Upon reaching treetop altitude, the airplane began an unintentional descent, resulting in a collision with terrain approximately 50 feet south of the runway while on a northerly heading. Both the pilot and flight instructor reported that they encountered wind shear during the aborted landing, which led to the collision.

Probable cause

Encountering wind shear during the aborted landing resulted in the collision with terrain.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040909X01385. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.