18 Nov 2019: Mooney M20M No Series

18 Nov 2019: Mooney M20M No Series (N1031M) — Unknown operator

No fatalities • College Park, MD, United States

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, his improper airplane configuration during the attempted go-around, which resulted in the airplane not climbing, and his subsequent landing off the side of the runway.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

On November 18, 2019, about 1625 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20M, N1031M, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at College Park Airport (CGS), College Park, Maryland. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he departed Morris Municipal Airport (C09), Morris, Illinois, about 1315. During the subsequent approach to CGS runway 15, a 2,607-ft-long, 60-ft-wide, asphalt runway, the winds were variable, but light. The airplane cleared the trees at the approach end of the runway and descended to the touchdown point. The pilot then reduced engine power and flared the airplane, but it bounced from what seemed like an unexpected and excessive sink rate. The pilot then aborted the landing by applying full engine power and remaining in ground effect. He did not retract the landing gear because he saw no indication of climb and did not engage the flap switch over concern that the flaps would retract past the takeoff setting and reduce lift. After a few seconds in ground effect with no climb and realizing remaining runway was limited, he landed to the left of the runway. The airplane then struck a perimeter fence with the left wing and spun, which resulted in the nose and the right wing colliding with the fence before the airplane came to rest upright about 180° from the landing direction. Postaccident examination of the airplane, which included disassembly of the propeller, under the supervision of Federal Aviation Administration inspectors did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The recorded weather at CGS, at 1615, was: wind from 250° at 5 knots; visibility 10 miles; scattered clouds at 2,700 ft; temperature 8° C; dew point 2° C; altimeter 29.75 inches of mercury.

Contributing factors

  • cause Landing flare — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Pilot
  • Incorrect use/operation

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 250/05kt, vis 10sm

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