What happened
On August 27, 2014, a Mooney M20K, registration OO-AEP, was performing a recreational flight from Bari Palese airport to the "Tenuta Tannoia" airstrip near Castel Del Monte. Upon arrival, the pilot experienced difficulty locating the airstrip from the air and relied on radio guidance from the airfield manager and another pilot on the ground.
Initially, the pilot attempted several approaches for runway 30. However, due to the low position of the sun on the horizon, which caused significant glare, the pilot decided to land on runway 12 instead. This decision resulted in a landing with a tailwind. The aircraft touched down at a high speed, approximately halfway down the 799-meter grass runway. The aircraft was unable to decelerate within the remaining distance, overran the end of the runway, and struck a dry stone wall located about 120 meters beyond the runway threshold.
The impact caused extensive damage to the aircraft's nose, propeller, engine, engine mount, and nose gear, as well as damage to the semi-wings. The two occupants sustained injuries and were transported to the hospital.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the pilot's flight planning, the aircraft's performance capabilities, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation noted that while the pilot had performed a ground reconnaissance of the airstrip by car the previous day, the flight planning did not sufficiently account for the visual references needed for aerial identification or the aircraft's performance limitations relative to the available runway length.
Analysis of the aircraft's weight indicated a takeoff mass of approximately 1190 kg, well within the maximum takeoff mass of 1315 kg. Based on the Pilot's Operating Handbook, the required landing distance on a grass surface for these parameters was approximately 500 meters. Because the touchdown occurred near the midpoint of the runway, the pilot lacked the necessary distance to stop the aircraft safely.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was inadequate landing management by the pilot, specifically regarding the decision to land with a tailwind.
- Insufficient flight planning failed to address the difficulty of locating the airstrip from the air and the risks associated with the available runway length.
- The low angle of the sun during approaches for runway 30 hindered the pilot's ability to align with the runway.
- The difficulty in locating the airfield may have compromised the pilot's situational awareness and decision-making capabilities.