NTSB Factual Report

On April 5, 2006, about 1830 central daylight time, a Mooney M20R airplane, N4654M, registered to and operated by the a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight, crashed while attempting a go-around following touchdown at Destin, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed. The private-rated pilot and passenger were not injured, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the same day, about 1730.

The pilot stated that about 5 miles from Destin, Florida, he cancelled his IFR flight plan in preparation for the visual approach to runway 14. He said that the winds were from 280 degrees, at a velocity of 10 knots, gusting to 14. At an altitude of 200 feet he said he encountered some turbulence, but made a smooth touchdown on the runway centerline, and after a "couple hundred feet", a strong gust of wind blew him to the left toward the runway edge lights. He said he made the decision to go around, applied full throttle, and "pulled up sharply" to avoid hitting the runway lights. He further stated that the stall warning then activated, so he lowered the nose of the airplane but "apparently did not have sufficient airspeed to maintain altitude. He said he tried to turn back to the runway, but felt a sudden "spin" to the left about 30 degrees, as the airplane impacted the ground. Prior to the accident there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while attempting a go-around at a low altitude which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush, an uncontrolled descent and an impact with terrain.