IAD03FA039

The instrument rated pilot flew the published instrument approach procedure and cancelled IFR services while on final approach. A review of radar data revealed that when the airplane was approximately 1 mile from the end of the runway, it began a left, 360-degree turn at an altitude of 1,600 feet msl, at a groundspeed of 98 knots. The turn was completed within a radius of approximately 0.2 nautical miles. Upon completion of the turn, the airplane was at an altitude of 1,000 feet msl, headed toward the airport. Twenty seconds later, the airplane began a left turn to the east, just before the data ended. The last radar target was at an altitude of 900 feet msl. Several witnesses observed the airplane, and described the weather as light drizzle, fog, and dark. A witness said he could easily identify the airplane's navigational lights, and saw the nose of the airplane straight up in the air, as it simultaneously rolled to the left, on to its back, as the nose dropped straight down toward the ground. The airplane continued to roll a full 360 degrees, then hit the ground nose first. The witness also described the maneuver as "very violent and not controlled." Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical deficiencies.

History of flight

On March 20, 2003, about 1945 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20R single-engine airplane, N1005P, was destroyed when it collided with terrain while on final approach to Leesburg Executive Airport (JYO), Leesburg, Virginia. The certificated private pilot/owner was fatally injured. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport (YNG), Youngstown-Warren, Ohio, about 1820. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

Several witnesses observed and heard the airplane. According to one witness, a student pilot, he was in his truck, stopped at a traffic light, when he first observed the airplane above and to the left of his position.

The witness said the airplane appeared to be turning onto a 1-mile final, when it suddenly made a 60-degree right bank and started a right turn. The airplane stayed in the bank for about 5 seconds, then rolled into a 60-degree left bank. The airplane then rolled wings level, "suddenly" pitched over, and the nose of the airplane "went straight down" toward the ground. It did not spin.

The witness also said it was night, there was a light drizzle, and it was not windy. He did not see the airplane fly through any clouds or fog.

A second witness, who was standing in the backyard of a townhouse about a mile from the end of the runway, said that the airplane passed directly over his head about 25-30 feet above the townhouse. The airplane's engine was not operating, and all he heard was a "swoosh" of wind as it passed by. He could not see the airplane, but did observe its lights through the fog. Shortly after the witness lost sight of the airplane, he heard a "loud crashing noise."

The witness also noted that it was dark and foggy, and that it had stopped raining about 30 minutes prior to the accident.

A third witness, who lived across the street from the accident site, was in his home when he simultaneously heard a "strong wind sound" and a loud bang on the south side of his home, followed by a "dragging" noise, "similar to ice falling from [his] roof." He then heard a loud "crashing noise" outside. The witness also noted that he did not hear the airplane's engine operating prior to the accident.

The witness responded to the accident site and observed fuel leaking from the airplane. He said it was not raining, it was not windy, and the sky was clearing. Subsequent examination of his home revealed no damage.

A fourth witness, a young boy, was in his home when he observed the airplane from a bathroom window. He said the airplane was headed directly toward him, with its lights on, when it suddenly nosed over and crashed into a pile of dirt in his backyard.

A fifth witness was in his home watching television when he heard a loud explosion, which shook his house. He thought a gas line had exploded. He went outside, smelled gas and called 911. The witness also said that it was "weird" that he did not hear the airplane prior to the crash. The witness also noted the weather conditions at the time of the accident were cloudy, but it was not raining or foggy.

A sixth witness, a private pilot and former naval aviator with over 30 years of aviation experience, said he was driving south toward the airport, when he saw the airplane directly in front of him, about 1-mile away. It was 1945.

With a model airplane in hand, the witness demonstrated what he observed. He pointed the nose of the model airplane straight up in the air, as it simultaneously rolled to the left. While the airplane was in this position, he started to drop the nose of the airplane straight down toward the ground. Momentarily, the airplane was on its back. The airplane continued to roll to the left, with the nose now pointing straight down toward the ground. The witness stopped the roll at 360 degrees, with the nose of the airplane pointed straight down toward the ground. He said that as soon as the airplane completed the 360 degree turn, the airplane hit the ground. The witness also described the maneuver as "very violent and not controlled."

The witness said there were clouds about 2,000 feet msl, and it wasn't raining. It was dark and he could easily identify the airplane's navigational lights.

A seventh witness, a police officer, was at the airport when the pilot-controlled runway lights turned on. He then scanned the horizon, and saw an airplane approaching the airport from the north. It's lights were on.

The witness stated that the airplane appeared to be on a normal approach path to the airport. The wingtip lights appeared to be parallel with the ground. Then, without warning, the airplane "spiral[ed]" in a clockwise direction and quickly lost altitude. The witness then lost sight of the airplane behind the tree line to the north of the airport.

A review of radar data revealed that an instrument flight rules target, with the same transponder code assigned to the accident airplane, approached Leesburg Airport from the north. Examination of the last 8 minutes of radar data revealed that the target was initially 16 nautical miles north from the end of runway 17. It then made 5-6 turns along and across the localizer course, left and right, as it proceeded toward the airport.

When the target was about 16 nautical miles north of the runway, it was at an altitude of 5,800 feet msl, at a groundspeed of 186 knots.

When the target was abeam STILL intersection, about 10 nautical miles north of the runway, it was at an altitude of 4,100 feet msl, at a groundspeed of 142 knots.

When the target crossed over WARDE intersection, it was at an altitude of 2,000 feet msl, at a groundspeed of 127 knots.

When the target was approximately 1 mile from the end of the runway, it began a left, 360-degree turn at an altitude of 1,600 feet msl, at a groundspeed of 98 knots. The turn was completed within a radius of approximately 0.2 nautical miles. Upon completion of the turn, the target was at an altitude of 1,000 feet msl.

The target then continued to track toward the airport. Approximately 20 seconds later, the target began a left turn to the east, just before the data ended at 1945. The last radar target was at an altitude of 900 feet msl at approximately 39 degrees, 05 minutes north latitude, and 77 degrees, 33 minutes west longitude.

The accident occurred during the hours of night approximately 39 degrees, 05 minutes north latitude, and 77 degrees, 33 minutes west longitude.

Personnel information

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for single engine land and sea, and instrument airplane. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third class medical certificate was issued on November 23, 2002.

Examination of the pilot's logbook revealed that he had accrued a total of 786 flight hours, of which, 42 hours were in make and model.

Aircraft information

A review of aircraft records revealed that the pilot had recently purchased the airplane from the factory, and it was registered with the FAA on February 10, 2003. The airplane and engine had accrued a total of 59 hours at the time of the accident.

Meteorological information

Weather reported at the airport, at 1942, included winds from 280 degrees at 3 knots, temperature 41 degrees F, dewpoint 39 degrees F, and barometric pressure of 29.80 inches Hg. The visibility was 10 statute miles with broken clouds at 3,400 feet, broken clouds at 4,100 feet, and overcast clouds at 5,500 feet.

Aids to navigation

The published inbound course for the LOC RWY 17 approach was 171 degrees magnetic, and the minimum descent altitude was 720 feet above mean sea level (msl). The crossing altitude at STILL intersection was 3,000 feet msl, and at WARDE intersection (the final approach fix), it was 1,800 feet msl. The distance b