Summary
On November 07, 2017, a Mooney Aircraft Corp. M20K (N231JD) was involved in an incident near Los Lunas, NM. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot’s improper glidepath during a night approach, which resulted in impact with terrain short of the runway.
According to the pilot, during a night approach he realized that the airplane was short of the runway and applied power. The airplane rolled to the left and impacted the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the leading edge of the right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the bi-plane that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA580. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N231JD.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s improper glidepath during a night approach, which resulted in impact with terrain short of the runway.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the pilot, during a night approach he realized that the airplane was short of the runway and applied power. The airplane rolled to the left and impacted the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the leading edge of the right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the bi-plane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA580