No fatalities

9 Sep 2017: MOONEY M20J — Whitesburg, GA

Whitesburg, GA, United States

On 9 Sep 2017, a MOONEY M20J was involved in an aviation accident near Whitesburg, GA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s unstabilized approach while landing with a tailwind and his subsequent failure to go around, which resulted in a hard landing. 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

During approach to a down-sloped grass runway, the airplane was high, resulting in a hard landing and bounce. After settling, braking was ineffective, and the airplane skidded, floated off the ground over a rise, and came to rest in trees. Substantial wing damage.

Narrative

According to the pilot's report, during the approach to land on a down-sloped grass runway, the airplane was "a little high." The pilot attempted to land short of a rise in the runway, which resulted in a hard landing followed by a bounce. After the airplane settled back on the runway, the pilot believed the airplane could still stop in time and applied the brakes. However, the airplane failed to slow, and the pilot attempted to skid the airplane sideways "with little effect." As the airplane went over another rise in the runway, it floated off the ground. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest in the trees beyond the end of the runway.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.

Weather Conditions

The pilot reported the weather at the accident site about the time of the accident was wind from 105° gusting 10 to 15 knots. The pilot landed on runway 27. An automated weather observation system about 13 nautical miles from the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, the wind was 070° at 8 knots.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

Causes

Descent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operationContributed to outcome