What happened
On 15 September 2017, a Mooney M20J, registration G-OBAL, was conducting a private flight from Gloucester Airport to Elstree Aerodrome. During the arrival phase, the pilot noted that while the circuit was flown normally, the aircraft was positioned too high on the final approach.
In an attempt to correct the glide path, the pilot made adjustments that led to an excessive touchdown speed. This caused the aircraft to bounce twice on the runway, prompting the pilot to initiate a go-around. A second landing attempt was also unsuccessful due to another bounce, leading to a second go-around. During the subsequent climb, air traffic control alerted the pilot that the propeller might have made contact with the runway surface. The pilot terminated the third approach and eventually completed the landing on a fourth attempt.
The investigation
Following the incident, an examination of the Mooney M20J was conducted. The inspection confirmed that the aircraft had sustained damage to the propeller and the right main landing gear door.