N321MD

Substantial
None

Mooney M20RS/N: 29-0470

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, July 1, 2007
NTSB Number
MIA07CA115
Location
Mitchellville, MD
Event ID
20070829X01264
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
3
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point for landing and his failure to initiate a go-around when he realized the airplane would touchdown past the intended point.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
MOONEY
Serial Number
29-0470
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2006
Model / ICAO
M20RM20P
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
M20R

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
BROWN MELVIN W JR TRUSTEE
Address
78 HIDDEN VALLEY AIRPARK
City
SHADY SHORES
State / Zip Code
TX 76208-7302
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot stated the approach was on the glide path and approach speed was approximately 85 knots. Several minutes prior, the manifold pressure gauge became erratic and was unable to be used as an accurate indication. He pushed the manifold full forward for the remained of the approach. The landing touchdown was 1/3 down the runway and seemed to be a "tad fast". Halfway down the runway, he realized the engine wasn't going completely to idle. At about 2/3 down the runway, knowing that the airplane was too fast, he looked at the option of going around and ruled it out because of the slow speed and the height needed to clear the tree lines. He attempted to slow the airplane by applying full breaks; however, was unable to slow down before running off the runway.

The responding FAA inspector observed the accident airplane lying off a berm, in a nose down position, approximately 50 yards from the end of the runway. The damage consisted of a bent propeller, buckled nose gear, damage to main gear doors, wrinkling of the right wing between station 147.75 and 163 and damage to the wing spar, and a dent in the leading edge of the right horizontal stabilizer.

The pilot stated to the NTSB investigator that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane and he should have initiated a go around. The published length of runway 18/36 at the Freeway Airport, Mitchellville, Maryland, is 2,420 feet by 40 feet. A completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report was not received for this accident.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA07CA115