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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 14, 2003 · Mooney M20K · N5659L

Grand Junction, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 14, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Grand Junction, CO
Aircraft
Mooney M20K
Tail Number
N5659L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN04LA010

According to the pilot, he had completed an uneventful touch-and-go landing on runway 29 using an approach speed of 67 knots. On the second touch-and-go landing, he used an approach speed of 70 knots. He stated that the airplane's airspeed was stable around the pattern. However, just short of the runway, at approximately 30 feet agl, he encountered a slight "burble." He initiated full power, and when he dropped the nose of the airplane a few degrees, he encountered a second "burble." The pilot stated that "the airplane literally fell out of the sky" and struck the runway. The impact with the runway separated the right main landing gear and the separated right main landing gear struck the right horizontal stabilizer. The nose landing gear collapsed, the right wing tip and propeller struck the runway, and the airplane slid approximately 150 feet. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar and the right horizontal stabilizer. The reported weather conditions at 1553 and 1604, indicated a shift in wind, from 310 degrees at 5 knots to 280 degrees at 8 knots respectively.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper flare and his failure to maintain airspeed resulting in a stall and hard landing.

Full Narrative

On October 14, 2003, at 1556 mountain standard time, a Mooney M20K, N5659L, operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at Walker Field (GJT), Grand Junction, Colorado. The airline transport certificated pilot, and an airline transport certificated passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for this local flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at approximately 1530. According to the pilot, he had completed an uneventful touch-and-go landing on runway 29 using an approach speed of 67 knots. On the second touch-and-go landing, he used an approach speed of 70 knots. The airplane's airspeed was stable around the pattern. Just short of the runway, at approximately 30 feet agl, he encountered a slight "burble." He initiated full power, and as he dropped the nose of the airplane a few degrees, he encountered a second "burble." The pilot stated that "the airplane literally fell out of the sky" and struck the runway. The impact with the runway separated the right main landing gear and the separated right main landing gear struck the right horizontal stabilizer. The nose landing gear collapsed, the right wing tip and propeller struck the runway, and the airplane slid approximately 150 feet. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar and the right horizontal stabilizer. At 1553, the reported weather at Walker Field (elevation 4,858 feet msl) was: wind, 310 degrees at 8 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; sky condition, clear; temperature, 19 degrees C.; dew point, minus 17 degrees C.; altimeter setting, 30.08. The calculated density altitude was 6,327 feet msl. At 1604, the reported weather at Walker Field was: wind, 280 degrees at 5 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; sky condition, clear; temperature, 19 degrees C.; dew point, minus 16 degrees C.; altimeter setting, 30.07. The calculated density altitude was 6,336 feet msl.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:56 MDT
Nearest AirportWalker Field (0nm)
Runway290
Runway Length10501 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20K
Tail NumberN5659L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360 · Reciprocating · 210
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 1 C
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data