- Date
- May 27, 1999, 21:00 local (May 28, 1999, 01:00 UTC)
- Place
- Ravenna, OH
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Landing
- Aircraft
- N496DEMooney M20R
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Status
- Completed · report June 23, 2000
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19990527005879A
- Case key
- 46440
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing, and his failure to maintain directional control after touchdown.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
While landing on a 3,500 foot long, 75 foot wide, asphalt runway, in night visual meteorological conditions, the airplane landed hard and bounced. The pilot stated, he could no longer see the runway lights and he initiated a go-around; however, he felt the airplane was not climbing, and elected to 'cut the power' and land. The airplane landed on the right side of the runway, it then veered off the right side of the runway, down a grass embankment, across a drainage ditch, and struck a large cement box. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities of the airframe or engine.
Factual narrative
On May 27, 1999, about 2100 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20R, N496DE, was substantially damaged while landing at the Portage County Airport (29G), Ravenna, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Mansfield Lahm Municipal Airport, Mansfield, Ohio. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The airplane was on approach to runway 27, a 3,500 foot long, 75 foot wide, asphalt runway.
In a written statement, the pilot said:
"...I landed hard and bounced. The approach was good and normal. Winds were light and from the west. After bouncing I added power to go around because I couldn't see the runway or lights. After power was added I did not feel that I was getting a positive rate of climb. The airplane just seemed to just hang there. At this time I was just trying to see the runway lights. I could not make them out....After feeling that I wasn't climbing I cut the power and landed..."
The airplane landed on the right side of the runway, it then veered off the right side of the runway, down a grass embankment, across a drainage ditch, and struck a large cement box.
Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities of the airframe or engine. The airplane was equipped with speed brakes, which functioned normally after the accident.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N496DE
- Reported as
- Mooney M20R
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 290082
- Airframe hours
- 350
- Engine
- Continental IO-550G, 270 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Ted M. Jendrisak
- Registered owner
- Skyway Enterprises Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · June 30, 1998 · 80 hours before
- Departed
- MFD · Mansfield, OH
- Destination
- 29G
- Airport
- 29G · Portage County, runway 27, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 49
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 1,750 total · 200 in this make and model · 1,550 as pilot in command · 60 in the last 90 days · 30 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Wind
- 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 57 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- CAK, 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.