Flight Details
On 8 May 2005, a Mooney M20J (registration N61MF, manufactured 1979) operated a private flight from Fairoaks Airport, Surrey, to Cherbourg and back. The aircraft was powered by a single Lycoming IO-360-A3B60 piston engine. The pilot, aged 45, held a Private Pilot's Licence with 274 total flying hours, including 51 hours on type. The flight carried three passengers. Weather at Fairoaks at 1520 hrs was surface wind 310°/14 kt, CAVOK, with runway 24 in use and a wet surface after a recent shower. The runway is 813 m long and 27 m wide, with 800 m landing distance available for Runway 24.
Accident Sequence
On the first approach, the pilot flew a wide left downwind leg, lowered the landing gear, reduced indicated airspeed (IAS) to 100 kt, and lowered the first stage of flaps. He turned onto a base leg and then final approach for Runway 24 at 500 ft, with an approach speed of 80 kt IAS and surface wind 330°/09 kt. The approach was turbulent with left drift. Over the threshold at an estimated 20 to 30 ft, the pilot was dissatisfied with his positioning and initiated a go-around. He retracted flaps and landing gear during the climb and performed a left-hand circuit at 1,000 ft using ground feature turn points.
For the second approach, the pilot configured the aircraft with landing gear and two stages of flaps. The approach, flown at 80 kt IAS, was less turbulent and required no drift correction. The approach appeared normal, but the pilot noted that it seemed shorter than usual. After flaring, the aircraft continued to float just above the runway, eventually touching down at or just after the runway midpoint. Realizing insufficient braking distance remained, the pilot executed a baulked landing procedure by applying maximum engine power, but did not have time to retract the landing gear or flaps. The aircraft cleared the airfield boundary fence and impacted a grass field on the extended runway centerline, passing through a wooden fence. During the impact, the engine and outboard section of the left wing detached.
Aftermath
The pilot isolated the fuel and electrical services, then he and the passengers evacuated the aircraft through the normal exit. The airfield Rescue and Fire Fighting Services arrived promptly, followed by other emergency services. The pilot sustained minor injuries; the three passengers also sustained minor injuries. The aircraft suffered substantial damage to the airframe, propeller, and engine.
Pilot's Assessment
In his report, the pilot stated that the most likely cause of the accident was that the threshold speed was higher than the customary 80 kt. He estimated it was between 5 and 10 kt too fast. He attributed this possible overspeed to his recent experience flying a different aircraft type with a higher approach speed, and to a possible slight tailwind component on final approach. He also noted that the Mooney M20's low drag characteristics make it susceptible to prolonged floating if the threshold speed is too high. Additionally, he believed that he should not have attempted the baulked landing but should have accepted a low-speed overrun after braking.