Summary
On 17 June 2023, a Mooney M20K 231 aircraft, registration N-192JM, was involved in an accident while landing at Casarrubios del Monte Aerodrome (Toledo, Spain). The flight originated from Faro Airport (LPFR, Portugal) and carried two occupants: one pilot and one passenger. The aircraft sustained significant damage, but both occupants exited the aircraft unaided and were unharmed.
Accident Details
The approach was made to runway 26. According to the pilot, the aircraft touched down on the threshold, but camera footage showed the first touchdown occurred approximately 320 metres past the threshold. The aircraft then lifted off and bounced three more times, with touchdown points spaced about 70, 100, and 90 metres apart. After the fourth touchdown near the threshold of runway 08, the aircraft turned left and departed the paved surface with about 70 metres of asphalt remaining. It maintained a height of roughly 4 metres (the length of one wing section) before colliding with a metal structure adjacent to the aerodrome’s perimeter fence. The aircraft did not roll significantly during any of the touchdowns, lifting off again each time.
During the approach, the pilot reported communications difficulties and performed two missed approaches before the final landing attempt. The landing gear was extended and flaps were fully deployed (33º) at approximately 90 kt, with a stable descent at 75 kt. After the multiple bounces, the pilot applied full throttle to go around but the aircraft failed to gain altitude. The pilot retracted the flaps to reduce drag but did not retract the landing gear due to low ground clearance. The aircraft then lost lift and descended, striking the structure.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the aircraft had contacted the runway four times before veering off. The camera recordings corroborated the pilot’s account of the bounces and left turn, but contradicted the claimed initial touchdown location. The pilot had retracted the flaps during the go-around attempt, which reduced lift and contributed to the subsequent collision. The occupants were not injured and evacuated without assistance.
Probable Cause
The Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC) identified the probable cause as the incorrect execution of the landing manoeuvre.