Mooney M20 Safety Record

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control after landing due to a sheared steering horn attach bolt that should have been replaced by maintenance personnel in compliance with an outstanding service bulletin. Contributing factors included the pilot's improper aircraft handling (relaxing elevator back pressure at high speed during rollout) and the ditch.

the pilot's inadvertent placement of the fuel selector position in the off position. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the aircraft.

The pilot's failure to perform a go-around once it became evident that his remedial action was not adequate to overcome the porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation that occurred during the landing flare. Factors include the pilot's inadvertent repeated ballooning/porpoising during the landing sequence, and a fence and line of trees off the departure end of the runway.

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees during an attempted go-around. A factor was the wet runway condition.

Failure (fracture) of the two number four piston compression rings, leading to the erosion of a section of the piston sidewall, resulting in the exhaustion of the engine's oil supply during cruise flight, followed by a forced landing on a country road. Factors include mail boxes mounted on metal poles immediately adjacent to the side of the road.

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during final approach, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into trees and terrain. Factors were wind gusts and terrain-induced turbulence.

the pilot's decision to attempt takeoff in crosswind conditions that likely exceeded the capability of the airplane, and, his subsequent failure to maintain the airplane's proper alignment over the runway. Also causal was the pilot's premature liftoff and subsequent failure to attain sufficient airspeed for the ambient conditions, which resulted in a stall mush. The crosswind and high density altitude were factors.

the pilot's poor in-flight decision to fly so close to the ridge (looking for animals). Contributing factors were the mountainous terrain condition, the downdraft weather conditions in high mountains, and the high density altitude weather condition.

The pilot's delayed decision in executing a go-around. Contributing factors were the pilot's limited experience landing on short fields and the rising terrain.

The pilot's failure to perform a go-around and obtain the proper touchdown point, which resulted in an overrun. A factor in the accident was the crosswind condition.

The pilot did not attain a proper climb rate during the go-around and the intentional wheels up landing. Factors associated with the accident were the inability of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing and the parked airplane that was contacted.

The loss of engine power due to the #2 connecting rod cap separating from the connecting rod. A contributing factor was the limited forward visibility due to oil on the windscreen.