2 Jul 2009: MOONEY M20 — WAYNE LEMLEY

2 Jul 2009: MOONEY M20 — WAYNE LEMLEY

No fatalities • Steamboat Springs, CO, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's improper pitch control during the go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

Prior to departing on a 108-nautical mile cross country mile, the private pilot reported that he remained in the traffic pattern for one touch-and-go landing. The airplane was flown at a slower than normal speed on the downwind and base legs. The airplane crossed 30 feet above the runway "numbers" at 67 to 68 knots. The pilot reduced engine power for the landing and the airplane stalled at approximately 7 to 10 feet above the runway. After experiencing a hard landing, the airplane bounced back into the air and the pilot elected to perform a go-around. The pilot selected full power and pulled back on the yoke to avoid nose wheel contact with the runway. The pilot reported that the airplane became airborne but he was at a slower than normal airspeed. At approximately 10 to 20 feet above the runway, the airplane entered a second stall, rolled left and impacted terrain. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. No pre-impact anomalies were detected during a post-accident inspection.

Contributing factors

  • cause Angle of attack — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, vis 10sm

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