Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA17CA211

Cedar Key, FL, USA

Aircraft #1

N1157N

MOONEY M20J

Analysis

The private pilot reported that, during the landing roll, he had traveled about halfway down the 2,355 ft-long runway when he realized that a go-around was going to be required. He could not recall the airplane's airspeed when the airplane touched down on the runway that was located steps from the ocean. However, he did recall that he initiated the go-around by applying full throttle, retracting the flaps to 0, and rotating at 62 knots. The airplane "lifted off but did not gain altitude." The pilot lowered the nose to accelerate, but the airplane stalled and impacted the water. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar and aileron. According to the manufacturer's Pilot's Operating Handbook, the go-around procedure is: CAUTION         To minimize control wheel forces during go-around, timely nose-down trimming is recommended to counteract nose up pitching moment as power is increased and/or flap retraction.         Power…..Full Throttle/2700 RPM         Mixture…..Full Rich         Airspeed…..65 KIAS         Wing Flaps…..Takeoff position after climb established         Trim…..Nose Down (to reduce control forces)         Airspeed…..Accelerate to 76 KIAS         Landing Gear…..-Retract         Wing Flaps…..Retract         Cowl Flaps…..Open         Airspeed…..Accelerate to 86 KIAS The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

The private pilot reported that during the landing roll, he had traveled about half of the distance down the 2,355 ft. runway and he realized that a go-around was going to be required. He could not recall the airplane's airspeed when the airplane touched down on the runway that was located steps from the ocean. However, he did recall that he initiated the go-around by applying full throttle, retracting the flaps to zero and rotating at 62 kts. The airplane "lifted off but did not gain altitude." The pilot lowered the nose to accelerate, but the airplane stalled abd impacted the water. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar and aileron. According to the manufacturer's pilot operating handbook, the go-around procedure is: CAUTION To minimize control wheel forces during go-around, timely nose-down trimming is recommended to counteract nose up pitching moment as power is increased and/ or flap retraction. Power….. Full Throttle/2700 RPM Mixture….. Full Rich Airspeed….. 65 KIAS Wing Flaps….. Takeoff position after climb established Trim….. Nose Down (to reduce control forces) Airspeed….. Accelerate to 76 KIAS Landing Gear….. Retract Wing Flaps….. Retract Cowl Flaps….. Open Airspeed….. Accelerate to 86 KIAS The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s failure to follow the manufacturer’s go-around procedure, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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