# NTSB ERA20LA038: Mooney M20M, N1031M, College Park, MD, November 18, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 18, 2019, 16:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: College Park, MD
- Coordinates: 38.980556, -76.922225 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9806&lon=-76.9222&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO, Textron Aviation
- NTSB case key (mKey): 100574
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100574/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100574
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA038

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, his improper airplane configuration during the attempted go-around, which resulted in the airplane not climbing, and his subsequent landing off the side of the runway.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During approach in light and variable wind conditions, the airplane cleared the trees at the approach end of the runway and descended to the touchdown point, where it bounced upon landing. The pilot then aborted the landing by applying full engine power and remaining in ground effect; however, he did not retract the landing gear because he saw no indication of climb and did not engage the flap switch over concern that the flaps would retract past the takeoff setting and reduce lift. The pilot’s failure to retract the flaps to the takeoff setting likely resulted in reduced airplane climb performance. After a few seconds in ground effect without the airplane climbing, the pilot realized that limited runway remained, so he landed to the left of the runway and the left wing impacted a perimeter fence. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

On November 18, 2019, about 1625 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20M, N1031M, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at College Park Airport (CGS), College Park, Maryland. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he departed Morris Municipal Airport (C09), Morris, Illinois, about 1315. During the subsequent approach to CGS runway 15, a 2,607-ft-long, 60-ft-wide, asphalt runway, the winds were variable, but light. The airplane cleared the trees at the approach end of the runway and descended to the touchdown point. The pilot then reduced engine power and flared the airplane, but it bounced from what seemed like an unexpected and excessive sink rate. The pilot then aborted the landing by applying full engine power and remaining in ground effect. He did not retract the landing gear because he saw no indication of climb and did not engage the flap switch over concern that the flaps would retract past the takeoff setting and reduce lift. After a few seconds in ground effect with no climb and realizing remaining runway was limited, he landed to the left of the runway. The airplane then struck a perimeter fence with the left wing and spun, which resulted in the nose and the right wing colliding with the fence before the airplane came to rest upright about 180° from the landing direction. Postaccident examination of the airplane, which included disassembly of the propeller, under the supervision of Federal Aviation Administration inspectors did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The recorded weather at CGS, at 1615, was: wind from 250° at 5 knots; visibility 10 miles; scattered clouds at 2,700 ft; temperature 8° C; dew point 2° C; altimeter 29.75 inches of mercury.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1031M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1031M-2022-03-05), registration cancelled 2022-03-05, S/N 27-0005, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Mooney M20M (No Series)
- 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: 27-0005
- Year built: 1989
- Airframe hours: 2190
- Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AF1B 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 2019, 30 hours before
- Departed: C09, Morris, IL
- Destination: CGS, College Park, MD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CGS, College Park Airport, runway 15, 2,607 × 60 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 11, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,700 total, 35 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.75 inHg
- Observed at: CGS

## 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 20191118018499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191118018499A), Nov 18, 2019: Mooney M20M, College Park, MD, Substantial damage. The aircraft was landing at College Park Airport (cgs). The aircraft developed a high sink rate on short final and bounced. An attempt to make a go around was…

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 20, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100574. 7.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9195395&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- POH excerpts (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 305 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10177250&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=POH%20Excerpts-Rel.pdf
- Excerpts from propeller logbook (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9196000&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Prop%20Logbook%20Excerpts_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Weather report (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9195633&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Metars-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 5, PDF, 6 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9872703&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf
- Manufacturer report of propeller teardown examination (item 6, PDF, 10 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10071505&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Textron%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 7, PDF, 10 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9194835&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Party%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 279 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9195279&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release%20Signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Evidence control form (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 283 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10075753&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form1-Rel.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.

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