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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 11, 1995 · Mooney M20K · N331DF

Tangier Island, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 11, 1995
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Tangier Island, VA
Aircraft
Mooney M20K
Tail Number
N331DF
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC95LA085

THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED A 45 MINUTE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON RUNWAY 02 AT HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO VEER LEFT, AND THE PILOT ABORTED THE LANDING. THE PILOT INITIATED A CLIMB AND ABOUT 10 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE LEFT WING STRUCK A 2-INCH DIAMETER TREE; THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED AND STRUCK THE GROUND. WINDS REPORTED AT AN AIRPORT 26 MILES AWAY WERE FROM 050 DEGREES AT 12 KNOTS.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance which resulted in an inflight collision with a tree. Contributing factors are a crosswind and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for wind conditions

Full Narrative

On April 11, 1995, at 1315 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20K, N331DF, was substantially damaged when it struck a tree during a go-around at the Tangier Island Airport, Tangier Island, Virginia. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at Coatesville, Pennsylvania. An IFR flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated in a telephone interview that he departed Coatesville, Pennsylvania, with full fuel tanks on an IFR flight to Tangier Island (TGI). The flight to TGI took about 45 minutes, and during touch down on runway 2, the airplane started to drift left. He attempted to correct with right rudder, but decided to go-around. At approximately 10 feet above the runway, during the go-around, the left wing struck a 2 inch diameter tree and then struck the ground. The pilot said that weather and wind were not a factor. The winds reported at an airport about 26 miles from TGI were from 050 degrees at 12 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 EDT
Nearest AirportTangier Island (0nm)
Runway2
Runway Length2950 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20K
Tail NumberN331DF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360 · Reciprocating · 210
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 12 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data