Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting winds.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was landing on runway 36, a 3,000-foot-long, 50-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The airplane touched down on the left side of the runway centerline and bounced. The airplane touched down again; however, the left landing gear was off the runway surface and the airplane was drifting further to the left. The airplane struck a runway edge light and the pilot attempted to abort the landing; however, the airplane struck a second runway light, became airborne, and then impacted trees, before coming to rest. Winds reported at an airport located about 8 miles northwest of the accident site, about 20 minutes prior to the accident, were from 290 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 26 knots. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot of the Mooney M20R was landing on runway 36, a 3,000-foot-long, 50-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The airplane touched down on the left side of the runway centerline and bounced. The airplane touched down again; however, the left landing gear was off the runway surface and the airplane was drifting further to the left. The airplane struck a runway edge light and pilot attempted to abort the landing; however, the airplane struck a second runway light, became airborne, and then impacted trees, before coming to rest. Winds reported at an airport located about 8 miles northwest of the accident site, about 20 minutes prior to the accident, were from 290 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 26 knots. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane.