Introduction
On 27 August 2014, a Mooney Airplane Company M20K aircraft, registration OO-AEP, was involved in an accident while landing at the Tenuta Tannoia airstrip near Castel Del Monte, Andria, Italy. The aircraft was operated by Segers-Balcaen N.V. and was on a recreational sightseeing flight from Bari Palese Airport.
Flight History
The pilot, a 67-year-old Belgian male with a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and valid Single Engine Piston (SEP) and Instrument Rating (IR) endorsements, had approximately 2000 hours of flight experience on the accident aircraft type and similar models. The day before the accident, he drove to the airstrip to inspect it. On the day of the flight, he departed Bari with an estimated 136 liters of fuel and 50 kg of baggage. Upon nearing the airstrip, he had difficulty locating it from the air and contacted the airstrip manager via radio for guidance. The manager, who did not speak English fluently, and later a German pilot present at the airstrip, provided directions.
Accident Sequence
After locating the airstrip, the pilot attempted multiple approaches to runway 30, but reported that the sun was directly ahead, impairing visibility. He then decided to land on runway 12, which resulted in a tailwind landing. Eyewitnesses stated that the aircraft touched down at a high speed beyond the midpoint of the 799-meter-long grass runway. The aircraft continued its landing roll, overran the end of the runway, and came to a stop against a dry stone wall located approximately 120 meters beyond the threshold of runway 30. The aircraft sustained extensive damage to its forward section, propeller, engine, engine mount, nose landing gear, and wings. The dry stone wall was also damaged. Both occupants sustained injuries and were immediately taken to a hospital.
Aircraft and Personnel Information
The aircraft, a Mooney M20K, was a single-engine, low-wing, retractable-gear monoplane with a maximum takeoff mass of 1315 kg. It was equipped with a Teledyne Continental TSIO-360-LB1 engine and a McCauley two-blade propeller. The airframe had accumulated over 3400 flight hours, the engine over 1250 hours, and the propeller over 1006 hours. Its certificate of airworthiness was valid. The pilot held a valid Class 2 medical certificate with a VDL limitation (must wear corrective lenses).
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of the accident, meteorological conditions were CAVOK (ceiling and visibility OK), with light wind from the northwest, as reported by witnesses and the pilot.
Aftermath
The accident investigation was conducted by the Italian National Flight Safety Agency (ANSV). The report documented the sequence of events but did not assign a probable cause.