This March 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Mooney M20J.
Location: Toccoa, Ga.
Injuries: None.
Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land in gusty winds. A witness stated the winds were gusting at about 35 knots. The airplane touched down on the first one-third of the runway, then veered to the right.
The pilot applied left rudder but it was not enough to regain directional control. He increased engine power and attempted to abort the landing. The airplane took off and climbed to about 20 to 30 feet, then stalled. The Mooney’s right wingtip hit the ground, and the airplane came to a stop resting on its nose.
The post-accident examination revealed that the landing gear was extended and the flaps were in the full down position during the attempted go-around.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around, resulting in an inadvertent stall and collision with the ground.
