# NTSB ATL04CA144: Mooney M-20E, N77ET, Thomasville, GA, June 30, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 29, 2004, 21:15 local (Jun 30, 2004, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Thomasville, GA
- Coordinates: 30.908332, -83.881111
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9083&lon=-83.8811&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59561
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04CA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59561/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04CA144

## Probable cause

The pilot's misjudgment of the airspeed and distance during approach to land that resulted in an undershoot and the subsequent collision with the ground.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - ground
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he was conducting touch and go landings. During the second landing the pilot noticed he was high on the glide slope approach. The pilot extended the flaps and reduced power to increase the descent of the airplane. The airplane descended below the glide slope and landed approximately 150 yards from the approach end of runway 22. Examination of the airplane revealed both wing assemblies were buckled and curled upwards. The left main landing gear was collapsed, and the fuselage was buckled. No flight control or mechanical malfunctions were reported by the pilot prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

On June 29, 2004, at 2115 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M-20E, N77ET, registered to and operated by a private pilot, collided with the ground during a low approach into Thomasville Municipal Airport, Thomasville, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot was uninjured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed Thomasville Airport in Thomasville, Georgia, on June 29, 2004 approximately 2055.

According to the pilot, he was conducting touch and go landings and during the second approach to land he noticed the airplane was high on the glide slope. The pilot extended the flaps and reduced power to increase the descent rate of the airplane. The pilot further stated that the airplane descended below the glide slope and touched down approximately 150 yards from the approach end of runway 22.

Examination of the airplane revealed both wing assemblies were buckled and curled upwards. The left main landing gear was collapsed, and the fuselage was buckled. No flight control or mechanical malfunctions were reported by the pilot prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77ET](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77ET-2005-07-25), registration cancelled 2005-07-25, S/N 0573, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Mooney M-20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0573
- Engines: Lycoming IO360-A1A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronnie M Bannister
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TVI, THOMASVILLE, GA
- Destination: TVI, THOMASVILLE, GA
- Airport: TVI, Thomasville Muni, runway 22

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 825 total, 739 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20040629031229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040629031229A), Jun 29, 2004: Mooney M20E, Thomasville, GA, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] came to the Thomasville airport with the intent to complete his required currency requirements. The pilot [privacy data…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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