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April 19, 2018 · Mooney M20F NO Series · N3535X

Bulberde, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 19, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Bulberde, TX
Aircraft
Mooney M20F NO Series (1966)
Tail Number
N3535X
Operator
Zulu Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA18CA233

According to the pilot who occupied the right front seat, during the flight, the engine started to run roughly. He added that, during landing, the airplane was fast and high, and it touched down about 1,200 ft past the approach end of the 2,890-ft-long runway. A pilot-rated passenger occupied the left front seat, which was the only position configured with brakes. The pilot-rated passenger applied the brakes during the landing roll, and the pilot maneuvered the airplane to exit the left side of the runway to avoid a runway overrun and impact with a fence. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane subsequently skidded to a stop in the grass safety area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft section of the fuselage. During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, a flight instructor, who was seated in the rear of the airplane during the flight, reported that the airplane touched down about 100 knots with between 40 and 60 percent of the runway remaining. According to the manufacturer's airplane operator manual, the minimum runway landing roll distance at sea level is 785 ft when the ground speed is 70 knots. The METAR at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 07° at 12 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The airport field elevation was 789 ft, and the pilot landed the airplane on runway 34.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s unstabilized approach, which resulted in the airplane landing long and fast, and the pilot’s subsequent decision to steer the airplane off the side of the runway to avoid a runway overrun.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot who occupied the right front seat, during the flight the engine started to run rough. During landing, the airplane was fast and high, and touched down about 1,200ft past the approach end of the 2,890ft runway. A pilot rated passenger occupied the left front seat which was the only position configured with brakes. The pilot-rated passenger applied the brakes during the landing roll and the pilot maneuvered the airplane to exit the left side of the runway to avoid a runway overrun and impact with a fence. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and the right main landing gear collapsed, and subsequently skidded to a stop in the grass safety area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft section of the fuselage. During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-in-charge, a flight instructor, who was seated in the rear of the airplane during the flight, reported that the airplane touched down about 100 knots, with between 40-60 percent of the runway remaining. According to the manufacturer's airplane operator manual, the minimum runway landing roll distance at sea level is 785ft when the ground speed is 70 knots. The METAR at the airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 07° at 12 knots and gusting to 17 knots. The airport field elevation was 789ft and the pilot landed to runway 34.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:55 CDT
Nearest AirportBulverde Airpark (0nm NNE)
Runway34
Runway Length2890 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20F NO Series
Tail NumberN3535X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorZulu Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 17 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 12 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Observation Time21:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data