Mooney M20 Safety Record

A fluctuating turbine inlet temperature and resulting loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors were the rough, unsuitable terrain on which to make a forced landing.

The improper installation of the propeller by maintenance personnel resulting in fretting of the face of the propeller hub and fatigue failure of the No. 1 propeller blade. Also, the unsuitable terrain encountered during the descent for the forced landing.

other maintenance personnel's not correcting a loose cylinder assembly. Factors were loose engine cylinder assembly, fractured cylinder mounting hardware, the roadway, and road sign.

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. Factors associated with the accident were the quartering tailwind and the ditch that the airplane contacted.

The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as result of the pilot's improper placement of the fuel tank selector switch. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the pilot to execute the forced landing.

The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance while taxiing from landing resulting in the on-ground collision with the parked airplane. A factor in the accident was the intentional operation of the airplane by the pilot with known deficiencies in equipment (inoperative landing light) during a night flight.

Fatigue cracking of the propeller blade which originated from corrosion pitting on its camber side, resulting in the blade tip separation during cruise flight.

The pilot's improper remedial action in controlling the aircraft during a go-around in a crosswind which resulted in a collision with a runway light and separation of the landing gear.

The pilot exceeded the crosswind capability performance of the aircraft, and his delayed response in initiating a go around. Factors were gusty, crosswind and tailwind conditions, and high density altitude.

the student's failure to maintain control of the airplane, and the CFI's inadequate supervision. A factor was that the CFI allowed the airplane's sink rate to get excessive during the approach.

The pilot's inadequate preflight which failed to detect water contaminated fuel that subsequently led to fuel icing at altitude, blockage of fuel lines which resulted in fuel starvation. A related factor was the dark night conditions.

the pilot's delay in applying carburetor heat. A factor associated with the accident was the low altitude at which the pilot was flying which limited his landing site selections when the loss of power occurred.

failure of the pilot to extend the landing gear before landing. A factor relating to the accident was: his attention being diverted, when his daughter got air sick.

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. A related factor was: the pilot's lack of recent experience in the make and model of airplane.

the pilot's failure to activate the runway lights, which led to his selection of a closed/abandoned runway for the landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the unlatched cabin door, and the lack of lighting conditions at dusk.

the pilot's improper decision to continue the approach beyond decision height, when he could not see the runway; and his attempt to land without being properly aligned on the runway. Factors relating to this accident were: darkness, fog and and runway lights.

the pilot's improper planning/decision, which led to fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. A related factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

The undetermined malfunction of the nose gear steering assembly that resulted in the loss of directional control during a full stop landing. A factor was the rough and uneven runway condition. .

failure of the alternator's front bearing, depletion of battery power, and failure of the emergency landing gear extension handcrank to engage during the pilot's attempt to perform the emergency procedure.

The pilot's flaring of the airplane prematurely at a low airspeed that resulted in a hard landing, and an inadvertent stall during the attempted go-around and subsequent loss of control.