N3535X

Substantial
None

MOONEY M20FS/N: 670072

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, April 19, 2018
NTSB Number
GAA18CA233
Location
Bulberde, TX
Event ID
20180420X04415
Coordinates
29.739166, -98.451110
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
4
Total Aboard
4

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s unstabilized approach, which resulted in the airplane landing long and fast, and the pilot’s subsequent decision to steer the airplane off the side of the runway to avoid a runway overrun.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
MOONEY
Serial Number
670072
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1966
Model / ICAO
M20FM20P
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
4
FAA Model
M20F

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
ZULU AVIATION CORP
Address
PO BOX 161726
City
FORT WORTH
State / Zip Code
TX 76161-1726
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilot who occupied the right front seat, during the flight the engine started to run rough.

During landing, the airplane was fast and high, and touched down about 1,200ft past the approach end of the 2,890ft runway. A pilot rated passenger occupied the left front seat which was the only position configured with brakes.

The pilot-rated passenger applied the brakes during the landing roll and the pilot maneuvered the airplane to exit the left side of the runway to avoid a runway overrun and impact with a fence. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and the right main landing gear collapsed, and subsequently skidded to a stop in the grass safety area.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft section of the fuselage.

During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-in-charge, a flight instructor, who was seated in the rear of the airplane during the flight, reported that the airplane touched down about 100 knots, with between 40-60 percent of the runway remaining.

According to the manufacturer's airplane operator manual, the minimum runway landing roll distance at sea level is 785ft when the ground speed is 70 knots.

The METAR at the airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 07° at 12 knots and gusting to 17 knots. The airport field elevation was 789ft and the pilot landed to runway 34.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA233