# NTSB ERA09CA439: Mooney M20S, N1008R, Mayfield, KY, July 28, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 28, 2009, 11:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Mayfield, KY - Coordinates: 36.769721, -88.584724 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7697&lon=-88.5847&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74441 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA439 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74441/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74441 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA439 ## Probable cause The pilot prematurely retracting the landing gear and flaps during the aborted landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: tE flap control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md?model=5870226), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=5870226), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action sequence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md?model=5870226), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Mooney M20S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5870226), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5870226), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he aborted the landing on the 5,001-foot-long by 100-foot-wide runway after two bounces. He applied full power, retracted the landing gear and the flaps, and the airplane settled to the runway. The airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway, struck runway lights, and substantially damaged the underside of the airframe. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane, and when asked how this accident could have been prevented, explained that a positive rate of climb should have been established before the gear and flaps were retracted. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he aborted the landing on the 5,001-foot long by 100-foot wide runway after two bounces. He applied full power, retracted the landing gear and the flaps, and the airplane settled to the runway. The airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway, struck runway lights, and substantially damaged the underside of the airframe. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane, and when asked how this accident could have been prevented, explained that first a positive rate of climb must be established before the gear and flaps are retracted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1008R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1008R), registered now, S/N 30-0055, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20S - Registry model: [Mooney M20S](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20s) (registry code 5870226) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 300055 - Airframe hours: 1482 - Engines: Continental IO-550-G 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 29, 2008, 55 hours before - Departed: UCY, Union City, TN - Destination: M25, Mayfield, KY - Airport: M25, Mayfield Graves County Airport, runway 18, 5,001 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 10, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 365 total, 25 in this make and model, 268 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 9 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 900 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: PAH, 20 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 20090728012169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090728012169A), Jul 28, 2009: Mooney M20S, Mayfield, KY, Substantial damage. Pilot retracted landing gear prior to retracting flaps to the approach position without establishing a positive rate of climb while executing a go-around. Due… ## Other investigations on N1008R (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC02LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA022), Oct 31, 2001: Mooney M20S (N1008R), Buckhannon, WV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The CFI's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74441. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318420&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Federal Aviation Administration Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318421&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Showing Damage to Underside of Airplane. (item 3, .PDF, 310 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318422&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Showing%20Damage%20to%20Underside%20of%20Airplane.-Master.PDF 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.