N6868

Substantial
None

MOONEY M20RS/N: 29-0385

Summary

On April 16, 2018, a Mooney M20R (N6868) was involved in an incident near San Antonio, TX. 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 landing long in tailwind conditions with insufficient runway remaining to stop the airplane.

According to the pilot, the airplane encountered a tailwind gust during landing. He reported that he frequented the airport and it was common practice to land with a tailwind because of the preferred upsloping runway. He asserted that he underestimated the significance of the wind conditions, and that when the airplane touched down, it was too late to abort the landing. The airplane's ground speed was too fast, and the airplane exited the departure end of the runway and collided with an embankment.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing.

The METAR at the nearest airport was 2 nautical miles from the accident site and reported that about the time of the accident the wind was from 160° at 17 knots and gusting to 24 knots.

This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA18CA224. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6868.

Accident Details

Date
Monday, April 16, 2018
NTSB Number
GAA18CA224
Location
San Antonio, TX
Event ID
20180417X30712
Coordinates
29.570278, -98.468330
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s landing long in tailwind conditions with insufficient runway remaining to stop the airplane.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
MOONEY
Serial Number
29-0385
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2005
Model / ICAO
M20RM20P
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
2155 VERMONT RD
Status
Deregistered
City
RANTOUL
State / Zip Code
KS 66079-9014
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilot, the airplane encountered a tailwind gust during landing. He reported that he frequented the airport and it was common practice to land with a tailwind because of the preferred upsloping runway. He asserted that he underestimated the significance of the wind conditions, and that when the airplane touched down, it was too late to abort the landing. The airplane's ground speed was too fast, and the airplane exited the departure end of the runway and collided with an embankment.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing.

The METAR at the nearest airport was 2 nautical miles from the accident site and reported that about the time of the accident the wind was from 160° at 17 knots and gusting to 24 knots. The pilot landed on runway 30.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane 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# GAA18CA224