Accident Overview
On May 13, 2016, at approximately 0930 central daylight time, a Mooney M20F airplane, registration N6371Q, conducted a forced landing while departing from North Little Rock Municipal Airport (KORK) near Little Rock, Arkansas. The airplane was registered to and operated by Barefoot Aviation LLC of Little Rock, Arkansas, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private-rated pilot and passenger were not injured, but the airplane sustained substantial damage.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot's report to the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, after takeoff, around the time he retracted the landing gear, the engine began to sputter. The pilot lowered the landing gear and attempted to land and stop on the remaining runway. However, the airplane landed hard on the nose gear, causing the nose gear to collapse. The airplane came to rest just off the end of the runway.
Damage
The accident resulted in damage to the nose of the airplane, including substantial damage to the firewall.
Post-Accident Recovery
The airplane was moved back to the owner's hangar and remained there until the insurance company sold the wreckage. The new owner recovered the airplane and had it transferred to a maintenance facility. Personnel at the maintenance facility reported that during recovery of the airplane, water was found in the left and right fuel tanks. Additionally, water was found in the engine's carburetor.
Probable Cause
The source provides no stated cause for the accident.