Pilot Debrief

MOONEY M20R near Chattanooga, TN — 2023-07-26

Final reportERA23LA314
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Date
2023-07-26
Location
Chattanooga, TN, USA
Airport
CHA
Aircraft
MOONEY M20R
Registration
N62GH
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper glidepath during final approach, which resulted in a collision with the approach lights short of the runway. Contributing was the pilot’s distraction due to the cabin door opening.

Contributing factors

Contributing was the pilot’s distraction due to the cabin door opening.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and the flight instructor were climbing out after departing from the airport when the cabin door suddenly opened. The flight instructor tried to close the door but could not get it closed properly. The pilot subsequently returned to the airport to land. During the landing approach, the pilot was distracted, flew too low, and the airplane contacted several approach lights short of the runway threshold. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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