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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 17, 1998 · Mooney M20F · N6444Q

Telluride, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Telluride, CO
Aircraft
Mooney M20F
Tail Number
N6444Q
Operator
Geoffrey C Norris
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW98LA224

According to the pilot, he contacted the airport for a weather advisory prior to landing and was told that the winds were favoring runway 9. Prior to touchdown, he received a report on the radio that the wind had shifted to 220 degrees at 20 knots with gusts to 25 knots. The airplane touched down and as it was rolling out, the aircraft became airborne. The pilot applied full power and retracted the landing gear. He flew the aircraft approximately half way down the runway at about 20 feet above the ground, hit the ground, bounced once, then landed in a drainage ditch. Calculated density altitude at the time was 11,041 feet above mean sea level, and the angle between the runway and the wind was 130 degrees. Given the reported wind speed of 20 knots with gusts to 25 knots, the crosswind and tailwind component values fall off the wind component chart. The values at the chart limits are 12 knots and 10 knots respectively. According to Mooney Aircraft Flight Test, the demonstrated cross wind component is 13 knots and there is no demonstrated tail wind component. The propeller was destroyed, and the wings and lower fuselage sustained substantial damage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot exceeded the crosswind capability performance of the aircraft, and his delayed response in initiating a go around. Factors were gusty, crosswind and tailwind conditions, and high density altitude.

Full Narrative

On May 16, 1998, at 1830 mountain daylight time, a Mooney M20F, N6444Q, settled onto the ground during a go-around from a balked landing at Telluride Regional Airport, Telluride, Colorado. The private pilot and sole occupant was not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this cross-country flight which originated from Moscow, Kansas, at 1530. No flight plan was filed. According to the pilot's accident report, he contacted the airport for a weather advisory prior to landing and was told that the winds were favoring runway 9. He flew over the airport and noted the wind direction indicator favored runway 9 as the recommended runway. While on final approach, he added full flaps and established an approach speed of 90 mph. Prior to touchdown, he received another report on the radio that the wind had shifted to 220 degrees at 20 knots with gusts to 25 knots. Calculated density altitude at the time was 11,041 feet above mean sea level, and the angle between the runway and the wind was 130 degrees. Given the reported wind speed of 20 knots with gusts to 25 knots, the crosswind and tailwind component values fall off the wind component chart. The values at the chart limits are 12 knots and 10 knots respectively. (See attached wind component chart.) According to Mooney Aircraft Flight Test, the demonstrated cross wind component is 13 knots and there is no demonstrated tail wind component. According to witnesses, the airplane touched down and as it was rolling out, the "aircraft suddenly became airborne [about 35 feet] in a nose down configuration." The pilot applied full power and retracted the landing gear. He "flew the aircraft approximately half way down the runway at about 20 feet above the ground, 10 feet left of the runway," then hit the ground. According to the airport manager, the airplane bounced twice after landing. The pilot added power and raised the landing gear. The aircraft then struck taxiway A2, approximately 4,800 feet from the approach end of runway 9. He bounced once, then landed in a drainage ditch. According to the aircraft owners' manual, "the base leg should be flown at 90 mph. Upon turning final...the aircraft will glide hands-off at approximately 80 mph." Additionally, the manual states, "under no circumstances should the aircraft be allowed to touch down in a nose-low attitude or at too high an airspeed." Post accident examination of the aircraft revealed that the propeller was destroyed, and the wings and lower fuselage sustained substantial damage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 MDT
Nearest AirportTelluride Regional (0nm)
Runway9
Runway Length6870 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20F
Tail NumberN6444Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGeoffrey C Norris
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 20 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data