Pilot Debrief

MOONEY M20C near Plano, TX — 2023-11-21

Final reportCEN24FA042
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Date
2023-11-21
Location
Plano, TX, USA
Aircraft
MOONEY M20C
Registration
N1204X
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a climbing turn during a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.

NTSB narrative

The pilot attempted a landing at the airport and subsequently conducted a go-around. During the go-around, witnesses observed the airplane’s left wing dip perpendicular to the ground before the airplane entered a near-vertical descent. According to a study conducted with video evidence, the airplane transitioned from stable flight at a speed close to the airplane’s stall speed to flight with a large bank angle and crashed shortly thereafter. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted in a nose-low attitude and came to rest inverted; a postimpact fire ensued, destroying the airplane. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot’s medical history and age placed him at increased risk of medical impairment or sudden incapacitation. Whether such impairment or incapacitation occurred on the accident flight could not be determined from available medical evidence; however, witness observations and the video data are consistent with the pilot losing control of the airplane during a climbing turn during a go-around, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have diverted to Addison Airport instead of attempting landing at F69.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • ADS-B / radar
  • 13 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents13

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