On 20 Jul 2012, a MOONEY AIRCRAFT CORP. M20K was involved in an aviation accident near Hutchinson, MN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot’s inadequate flare and failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent impact with obstructions. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A student pilot reported multiple bounces and a left veer during landing. Despite corrective efforts, directional control was lost, and the airplane exited the runway, hit two ditches, and sustained substantial damage.
Accident Description
A student pilot was conducting a landing when the airplane bounced multiple times and veered to the left. The student pilot attempted to correct the veer but was unsuccessful. Directional control was subsequently lost, and the airplane exited the left side of the runway. After leaving the runway, the airplane impacted a ditch, crossed a taxiway, and then struck a second ditch before coming to rest upright. The student pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures.
Damage
The nose gear collapsed during the event, and the forward fuselage sustained substantial damage.