# NTSB ERA12LA292: Mooney M20F, N9722M, McKinnon, TN, April 19, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 19, 2012, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: McKinnon, TN - Coordinates: 36.316665, -87.916664 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3167&lon=-87.9167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 3 serious - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83440 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA292 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83440/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83440 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA292 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed decision to go-around after failing to recognize that he was attempting to land with a tailwind, and his failure to retract the landing gear and wing flaps for the go-around, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain near the departure end of the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=5870214), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Mooney M20F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=5870214), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=5870214), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md) - [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 M20F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md?model=5870214), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=5870214), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=5870214), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20F, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870214), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was on approach to runway 8, a 3,000-foot-long runway. The airplane was high and fast, and the pilot attempted to perform a go-around; however, the airplane was not able to climb before impacting trees, located about 700 feet beyond the end of the runway. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation nor did the pilot report any. The airplane was found after the accident with the landing gear extended and the wing flaps in the full down position. Witnesses reported that the wind was from the west at 10 to 15 knots, at the time of the accident. In addition, the pilot reported that the wind had shifted from east to west and that he did not note the position of the airport wind sock prior to landing. He also stated that the 3,000 foot-long runway was the shortest runway he had attempted to land on. Had the pilot retracted the landing gear and the flaps during the attempted go-around, he should have been able to execute a successful go-around. ## Factual narrative On April 19, 2012, about 1130 central daylight time, a Mooney M20F, N9722M, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees while attempting to perform a go-around at the Houston County Airport, McKinnon, Tennessee. The private pilot and two passengers were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Humphreys County Airport, Waverly, Tennessee. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot reported that the airplane was on approach to runway 8, a 3,000-foot-long, asphalt runway. The airplane was "high and fast" on the approach, and he intended to go-around. The airplane did not climb as expected and subsequently impacted trees that were located about 700 feet beyond the end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. Examination of the airframe and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. In addition, the pilot reported that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions. The FAA inspector found the landing gear extended and the wing flaps extended to the full down position after the accident. Winds reported an airport located about 30 miles northeast of M93, at 1155, were from 100 degrees at 7 knots; however, witnesses reported that winds were from the west at 10 to 15 knots at the time of the accident. In addition, the pilot reported that the winds had shifted from east to west during the flight; and he did not note the position of the airport wind sock prior to landing. He also stated that the 3,000 foot-long runway was the shortest runway he had attempted to land on. In the Operator/Owner Recommendation section of the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report, the pilot stressed the importance of making a decision to go-around in a timely manner and without hesitation, particularly when attempting to land on runways less than 4,000 feet long. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9722M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9722M-2018-01-10), registration cancelled 2018-01-10, S/N 670282, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F - Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 670199 - Airframe hours: 4517 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 SER 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 2011 - Departed: 0M5, Waverly, TN - Destination: M93, McKinnon, TN - Airport: M93, Houston County, runway 08, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 30, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 150 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: HOP, 30 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 20120419007749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120419007749A), Apr 19, 2012: Mooney M20F, Stewart, TN, Destroyed. The nashville FSDO received a call from tsa at 1315 hours on 4/19/2012. They inquired about an aircraft accident at M93. The FSDO had not been notified. The… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 22, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83440. 6.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 688 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386018&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Memorandum (item 2, .PDF, 32 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386009&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Memorandum%20-Master.PDF - Weather Observations (item 3, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385938&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Houston County Sheriff Accident Report (excerpt) (item 4, .PDF, 147 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385939&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Houston%20County%20Sheriff%20Accident%20Report%20(excerpt)-Master.PDF - Airplane Owners Manual (excerpt) (item 5, .PDF, 138 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386015&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Owners%20Manual%20(excerpt)-Master.PDF - FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (excerpt) (item 6, .PDF, 604 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386016&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Airplane%20Flying%20Handbook%20(excerpt)-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1 - Airplane as it came to rest (Provided by FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385927&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20-%20Airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph # 2 - Close-up view of a propeller blade (Provided by FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385940&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%20-%20Close-up%20view%20of%20a%20propeller%20blade%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)-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.