Casualties unknown

2007-08-14: Mooney M20R (N395MR) — Mooney Airplane Company — Wichita, KS

Wichita, KS, US

On August 14, 2007, a Mooney M20R (registration N395MR) operated by Mooney Airplane Company was involved in an aviation accident near Wichita, KS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing. Contributing factors are the lack of experience of the pilot and the delayed remedial action of the airline transport pilot rated passenger. 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 reported a hard landing and bounce on touchdown, followed by loss of power during a go-around attempt. The airplane drifted right and came to rest on the taxiway. Examination found no anomalies with the airframe or engine.

Incident Summary

During a local flight, the pilot reported that both the preflight and the traffic pattern operations were normal. On final approach to runway 18, the landing gear and flaps were extended, and the airspeed was maintained between 78 and 82 knots. Upon touchdown, the airplane bounced, and the pilot described the landing as "hard." In response, the pilot applied full throttle to initiate a go-around. However, immediately after applying full power, the pilot noted "no power response from the aircraft." The airplane then drifted to the right, contacted the terrain between the runway and the taxiway, and came to rest on the side of the taxiway.

Pilot and Passenger Accounts

The pilot-rated passenger summarized the event by stating, "To sum it up, it was a bad landing that we didn't recover from." Both the private pilot and the passenger informed the investigator-in-charge and a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that the private pilot was serving as pilot in command during the accident flight.

Company Policies and Qualifications

Company policies and procedures for flight operations specify that a company pilot assigned as a crewmember during a demonstration flight must have a minimum of 200 hours total flight time, 25 hours in make and model, and a private pilot certificate with an instrument rating. The pilot, an employee of the company, reported having approximately 60 total flight hours and 15 flight hours in the accident airplane make and model. In contrast, the passenger, a contract pilot for the company, reported approximately 7,600 total flight hours and 55 to 60 flight hours in the accident airplane make and model.

Aircraft Examination

A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with either the airframe or the engine.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20070821X01220. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.