Aircraft and Flight Details
At 2100 eastern daylight time on March 23, 2012, a Mooney M20J airplane, registration N201QB, was substantially damaged when it struck an embankment during an aborted landing on runway 18 at Shawnee Airport (1I3) in Bloomfield, Indiana. The airplane was co-registered to and operated by the commercial pilot, who was on a repositioning flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. No flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated at Sullivan County Airport (SIV) in Sullivan, Indiana, at approximately 2040. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.
Accident Sequence
According to an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported making four attempts to land on the 2,160-foot-long by 150-foot-wide sod runway, which was equipped with non-standard runway edge lights. On the fourth attempt, the pilot landed but stated that the brakes did not seem to be working as the airplane was not slowing down. He attempted to abort the landing and subsequently impacted a levy south of the runway.
A passenger interviewed by the FAA inspector provided a different account. The passenger stated that the pilot made three attempts to land. During approach, it was getting dark, and the pilot turned onto the base leg too early each time, resulting in a higher-than-normal final approach. On the first attempt, the pilot touched down but aborted. On the second, the airplane touched down with less than 200 feet of runway remaining, prompting a go-around. On the third attempt, the airplane touched down with approximately 400 feet of runway remaining. The pilot then applied heavy braking, causing the airplane to slide. When it left the runway, the pilot applied full power, and the nose pitched up. The main landing gear wheels crossed a dirt road separating the runway from a plowed field, and the airplane became momentarily airborne. The passenger recalled seeing the stall warning light illuminated but did not hear the stall horn. The airplane then stalled and impacted a creek bank.
Examination
An on-scene examination by two FAA inspectors revealed substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage. The runway and surrounding area were noted to be wet and soft from recent rainfall.
The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine land and instrument airplane ratings, as well as certified flight and ground instructor ratings. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on July 25, 2011, at which time he reported 1,300 total flight hours.
Weather reported at Monroe County Airport (BMG), approximately 19 miles east of the accident site, at 2053 included calm wind, visibility 10 miles, broken clouds at 3,700 feet, overcast at 4,600 feet, temperature 15°C, dewpoint 12°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.80 inches of mercury. Remarks mentioned distant lightning northeast and southeast of the airport.