Casualties unknown

2005-04-07: Mooney M20J (N4398H) — Rocky Hill, NJ

Rocky Hill, NJ, US

On April 7, 2005, a Mooney M20J (registration N4398H) was involved in an aviation accident near Rocky Hill, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and subsequent impact with terrain. Factors included the night lighting conditions, and the airplane approaching the opposite runway. 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

During a go-around after sighting another aircraft on the runway, the pilot turned, retracted gear and flaps, and while adjusting trim, the airplane stalled and struck the ground.

Incident Description

On the short final leg of the approach to the destination airport, the pilot observed an airplane at the opposite end of the runway and initiated a go-around. The pilot turned the airplane to the right, applied full power, and retracted the landing gear, flaps, and speed brakes. As he was attempting to adjust the elevator trim in a nose-down direction and was holding forward pressure on the control yoke, the airplane stalled and impacted the ground.

Pilot Statement

When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated, "I should have done a go-around straight down the runway, not a 45-degree turn off airport."

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20050503X00537. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.