# NTSB GAA17CA535: Mooney M20J, N1161Z, Whitesburg, GA, September 9, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 9, 2017, 16:35 local (20:35 UTC) - Place: Whitesburg, GA - Coordinates: 33.572776, -84.910552 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5728&lon=-84.9106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 27, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96010 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA535 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96010/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96010 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA535 ## Probable cause The pilot’s unstabilized approach while landing with a tailwind and his subsequent failure to go around, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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 M20J, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the approach to land on a down-sloped, grass runway, the airplane was "a little high." He added that he attempted to land short of a rise in the runway, which resulted in a hard landing followed by a bounce. After the airplane settled back on the runway, "[he] believed we [the airplane] could still stop in time." He applied the brakes, but the airplane failed to slow, and he attempted to skid the airplane sideways "with little effect." As the airplane went over another rise in the runway, it floated off the ground. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest in the trees beyond the end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the weather at the accident site, about the time of the accident, was wind from 105°, gusting to 10 to 15 knots. The pilot landed on runway 27. An automated weather observation system about 13 nautical miles from the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 070° at 8 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the approach to land, on a down-sloped, grass runway, the airplane was "a little high." He added that, he attempted to land short of a rise in the runway, which resulted in a hard landing followed by a bounce. After the airplane settled back on the runway, "[he] believed we [the airplane] could still stop in time." He applied the brakes, but the airplane failed to slow, and he attempted to skid the airplane sideways "with little effect." As the airplane went over another rise in the runway it floated off the ground. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest in the trees beyond the end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported the weather at the accident site, about the time of the accident was, wind from 105° gusting 10 to 15 knots. The pilot landed on runway 27. An automated weather observation system about 13 nautical miles from the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, the wind was 070° at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1161Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1161Z), registered now, S/N 24-1356, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J - Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-1356 - Year built: 1983 - Airframe hours: 4454.6 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 2017 - Departed: CTJ, CARROLLTON, GA - Destination: 5GA2, Whitesburg, GA - Airport: 5GA2, Lyons Landing, runway 27, 1,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Onboard weather, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review May 15, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 7,240 total, 490 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KCTJ, 13 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 20170909017739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170909017739A), Sep 9, 2017: Mooney M20J, Whitesburg, GA, Substantial damage. On September 9, 2017, at approximately 1630 local time a pilot attempted to land a Mooney aircraft model M20-J on runway 27 at Lyons Landing private airstrip… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96010. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 903 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457807&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 437 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457811&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.