# NTSB BFO85LA033: Mooney M20E, N2761W, Mitchellville, MD, April 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1985, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Mitchellville, MD
- Coordinates: 38.949188, -76.730621 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9492&lon=-76.7306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11170
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11170/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA033

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - weather condition - crosswind (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - runway (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER EXPERIENCING A GUSTY CROSSWIND ON FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 18, THE PILOT EMPLOYED STANDARD CROSSWIND LANDING TECHNIQUE. ONCE OVER THE THRESHOLD, POWER WAS REDUCED TO IDLE AND THE PILOT COMMENCED THE FLARE. DURING THE FLARE, A GUST OF WIND BLEW THE ALFT TO THE EAST AND THE PLT RESPONDED BY ADDING FULL POWER TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND. HOWEVER THE LEFT WING IMPACTED A TAXIWAY MARKER, THE RIGHT WING TIP STRUCK THE GROUND TO THE LEFT OF THE RWY & THEN THE ACFT CARTWHEELED ONTO THE ASPHALT WHEN THE RIGHT WING TIP STRUCK THE RWY EDGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2761W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2761W-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 1051, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- 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: 1051
- Airframe hours: 2630
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George Kalman
- Registered owner: George Kalman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1984, 30 hours before
- Departed: MDT, HARRISBURG, PA
- Airport: WOO, Freeway Airport, runway 18, 2,150 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,200 total, 404 in this make and model, 3,200 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADW, 9 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 19850405059089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850405059089A), Apr 5, 1985: Mooney M20E, Mitchellville, MD, Substantial damage. During flare aircraft drifted off side of runway. During go around attempt in gusty conditions struck traffic cone.

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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