Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

July 23, 2001 · Mooney M20J · N4223H

Mitchellville, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Mitchellville, MD
Aircraft
Mooney M20J
Tail Number
N4223H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC01LA186

While landing, the pilot began to flare the airplane about 20-30 feet above the runway. The CFI informed the pilot that they were too high and he should lower the nose; however, the pilot did not respond. Before the CFI could take corrective action, the airplane touched down hard on the main landing gear, and bounced back into the air. Deciding that she wanted to see if the pilot could regain control of the airplane, the CFI elected not to take corrective action. The pilot added full power and pulled back on the yoke until the airplane entered a stall. The CFI assumed the flight controls and pushed forward on the control yoke with both hands. The left wing of the airplane then struck the ground, and the CFI aborted the go-around. The airplane touched down hard on the runway again, collapsing the right main and nose landing gear, departed the left side of the runway, and came to rest in a grass field.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an aborted landing, and her delay in remedial action. A factor related to the accident was the excessive trim setting.

Full Narrative

On July 23, 2001, about 1745 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N4223H, was substantially damaged while landing at the Freeway Airport, Mitchellville, Maryland. The certificated private pilot, and certified flight instructor (CFI) were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the CFI, the pilot was receiving instruction on high performance airplanes. While landing on runway 18, the pilot, who was at the controls, began to flare the airplane about 20-30 feet above the runway. The CFI informed the pilot that they were too high and he should lower the nose; however, the pilot did not respond. Before the CFI could take corrective action, the airplane touched down hard on the main landing gear, and bounced back into the air. Deciding that she wanted to see if the pilot could regain control of the airplane, the CFI elected not to take corrective action. The pilot added full power and pulled back on the yoke until the airplane entered a stall. The CFI assumed the flight controls and pushed forward on the control yoke with both hands. When the CFI took her left hand off the control yoke to adjust the trim setting, the nose of the airplane began to rise again, and the airplane entered another stall. With the trim in the "full nose up" position, the only way for the CFI to keep the airplane out of a stall condition was to push on the control yoke with both hands. The left wing of the airplane then struck the ground, and the CFI aborted the go-around. The airplane touched down hard on the runway again, and the right main and nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, and came to rest in a grass field. The CFI reported that the pilot had accumulated about 3 hours of total flight experience in the accident airplane. The pilot had also accumulated about 8 landings, and demonstrated go-around procedures in the past. The winds reported at a nearby airport, at 1755, were from 240 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 22 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 EDT
Nearest AirportFreeway Airport (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length2425 ft
Runway Width30 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20J
Tail NumberN4223H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 33 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 52 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 15 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data