N1008R

On October 31, 2001, about 1830 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20S, N1008R, was substantially damaged while landing at the Upshur County Regional Airport (W22), Buckhannon, West Virginia. The certificated flight instructor (CFI), private pilot, and two passengers, were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument rules flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the CFI, he had been giving the private pilot dual instruction towards an instrument rating since October 1, 2001 in a Cessna 172; however, the private pilot also wanted to receive some dual training in the Mooney.

The flight plan was to fly from Clarksburg (CKB), West Virginia, to Lewisburg (LWB), West Virginia, pick up two passengers, then fly to W22, drop off the passengers, and proceed back to CKB as a final destination. The flight to LWB was conducted with the private pilot at the controls from the left seat, while the CFI gave dual instruction from the right seat. Upon arriving at LWB, the private pilot requested the CFI to take the flight controls for the landing. The airplane arrived without incident.

The flight departed LWB, with the private pilot at the controls, and proceeded to W22.

Arriving at W22, the private pilot entered a standard left traffic pattern for Runway 29. As the airplane was on left base, the private pilot again requested the CFI to take the flight controls for the final approach and landing.

During the final approach, the descent angle, airspeed and altitude all appeared normal. The CFI verified that the before landing checklist was completed and that all the occupants had their safety belts on and secured. Upon reaching what the CFI perceived as the flare position, he pulled back on the yoke in preparation for landing. The CFI realized that the airplane had not touched down on the runway, and became concerned that a safe landing could not be made. At that point, the CFI "felt a heavy sink rate...along with a flared pitch attitude." As the CFI applied full throttle to abort the landing, the airplane touched down hard on the runway, collapsing the landing gear.

After the airplane came to a complete stop in the middle of the runway, the CFI opened the exit door and evacuated all of the passengers.