# NTSB ATL06LA014: Mooney M20M, N43CW, Summerville, SC, November 11, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 11, 2005, 14:18 local (19:18 UTC) - Place: Summerville, SC - Coordinates: 33.066665, -80.283332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0667&lon=-80.2833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Columbia FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62823 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL06LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62823/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06LA014 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to follow the pre-landing checklist which resulted in a gear up landing and subsequent propeller strike. The pilots improper decision to attempt a go-around after the propeller strike, resulted in a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing, and collision with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - propeller system/accessories,blade - blade strike (cause) - Loss of engine power, go-around (vfr) - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor) - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During landing, the pilot failed to extend the landing gear. He stated that he ran through the normal landing check list including putting the landing gear down. At touchdown, the wind picked up and the airplane was going "a little to fast." The airplane bounced and he elected to do a go-around and try again. Witnesses observed the gear up landing, saw the propeller strike the ground, and then the pilot attempted a go-around. He climbed to 500 feet and circled runway 24 twice, and attempted a second landing. After the accident, the pilot stated that during the approach a loss of engine power occurred and he was unable to reach the runway. The airplane collided with trees and subsequently the ground. Examination of the runway found scrape marks and propeller slashes. There were no mechanical problems discovered during the post-accident examination of the airplane. ## Factual narrative !!THIS CASE WAS MODIFIED JANUARY 19, 2006!! On November 11, 2005, at 1418 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20M, N43CW, registered to and operated by the private pilot, collided with trees, and burst into flames during an approach to land on runway 24, at the Summerville Airport, Summerville, South Carolina. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot received serious injuries. The passenger received fatal injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Waverly, Ohio, at 1200 Central Standard Time. According to the pilot, when he arrived at the Summerville Airport the pilot called in his position and intentions and proceeded with the approach. He stated that he ran through the normal landing check list including putting the landing gear down. At touchdown, the wind picked up and the airplane was going "a little to fast." The airplane bounced and he elected to do a go-around and try again. He throttled the engine up and as they began climbing, the airplane started to go left of the center line. He stated that he "pulled the gear back up" to gain lift, and as they began to climb out the engine started missing. He radioed the Fixed Base Operator and told them he was having engine trouble but then it cleared up. He stated that he completed his turn back towards the airport and the engine started missing again. He said that the more throttle that he applied the worse the engine missed. He said he kept the power back to where the airplane could maintain a safe altitude yet keep it above the stall speed. However, the power kept dropping and he had no choice but to put the airplane into the trees short of runway 24. He stated that he kept the landing gear up to avoid getting them caught in the trees. The pilot egressed through the rear cargo door, after unsuccessfully attempting to assist his passenger. According to witnesses, the airplane touched down on runway 06, with the gear retracted. The airplane was observed exiting a cloud of dust and climbing to about 500 feet. Witnesses said the airplane circled the runway to the left twice, and the pilot lowered the landing gear for an approach to runway 24. During the descent the airplane went into the trees and collided with the ground 500 yards from the threshold of runway 24. Witnesses telephoned the 911 operator, reported the accident, and proceeded to the accident site to give assistance. Examination of the wreckage found the fuselage and the engine mostly fire damaged. Examination of the approach end of runway 24, found scrapes marks and slashes in the runway surface similar in appearance to marks that would have been made by a rotating propeller. There were no mechanical problems discovered during the post-accident examination of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N43CW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43CW-2008-07-31), registration cancelled 2008-07-31, S/N 27-0117, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20M - Registry model: [Mooney M20M](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20m) (registry code 5870222) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 27-0117 - Airframe hours: 3285 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gerald E. Davis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2005, 0 hours before - Departed: EOP, Waverly, OH - Destination: DYB, Summerville, SC - Airport: DYB, Summerville Airport, runway 6, 3,701 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 407 total, 29 in this make and model, 369 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: CHS, 15 nm away ## 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 20051111027439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051111027439A), Nov 11, 2005: Mooney M20M, Summerville, SC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) On November 11, 2005 at approximately 1418 local time, a Mooney M20M, N43CW on an attempted landing, runway 06, at the Summerville Airport, Summerville,… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.