No fatalities

9 Aug 2010: MOONEY M20M — Demitri Alden — Poughkeepsie, NY

Poughkeepsie, NY, United States

On 9 Aug 2010, a MOONEY M20M operated by Demitri Alden was involved in an aviation accident near Poughkeepsie, NY. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing, loss of directional control and runway excursion. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot executing a night GPS approach to runway 24 experienced alternator light flicker, flared high, and landed hard, resulting in a runway excursion and structural damage.

Sequence of Events

The pilot reported receiving an instrument flight rules clearance from air traffic control for a night global positioning system approach to runway 24 at the destination airport. Upon reaching the final approach fix, the pilot turned on the landing lights, lowered the landing gear, and extended the flaps to the full down position. At that point, the pilot observed both alternator lights flicker, then remain illuminated. The pilot continued the approach and flared the airplane higher than normal. The airplane subsequently landed hard and bounced several times. The pilot lost directional control of the airplane, and it departed the left side of the runway, coming to rest upright in the grass.

Damage

Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the landing gear, right wing, and fuselage, consistent with ground impact.

Weather

Weather conditions around the time of the accident included clear skies and winds from 190 degrees true at 8 knots.

Contributing factors

Causes

Incorrect use/operationPilot

Other contributing factors

generator drive sys — Failure