No fatalities

26 Aug 2018: Mooney M20J No Series — Rochester, NH

Rochester, NH, United States

On 26 Aug 2018, a Mooney M20J No Series was involved in an aviation accident near Rochester, NH. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. 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 aborted a takeoff after a touch-and-go landing, applying heavy braking. The airplane fishtailed, veered left, exited the runway, and struck a ditch. Substantial damage to the right wing.

Incident Overview

A pilot-rated owner reported that he was allowing another pilot to build flight time in his airplane to qualify for the airplane's insurance. During the accident flight, the pilot occupied the left seat and the owner occupied the right seat. The incident occurred during takeoff after a touch-and-go landing, when the pilot rotated slightly early and the airplane settled back onto the runway. He aborted the takeoff, applied heavy braking, and the airplane fishtailed before veering left. The owner then took the flight controls, but the airplane exited the runway to the left and impacted a ditch.

Pilot Account

The pilot reported that during the familiarization flight to practice touch-and-go landings, on the second takeoff, he aborted the takeoff because he realized he did not have enough runway available. He applied heavy braking, and the airplane veered to the left into a swamp.

Owner Observations

The owner added that he was seated in the right seat, which does not have brakes. He believed that his inexperience at controlling the airplane from the right seat also contributed to the accident.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

Mechanical Condition

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

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Owner/builderNot installed/availableContributed to outcome