NTSB Factual Report

On August 14, 2007, approximately 1310 central daylight time, N395MR, a Mooney M20R single-engine airplane, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of control during landing at Colonel James Jabara Airport (AAO), Wichita, Kansas. The private pilot and airline transport pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Mooney Airplane Company, Kerrville, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. The local flight departed AAO approximately 1300.

According to the private pilot, the purpose of the flight was to video a takeoff and landing for a Mooney Airplane Company promotion. The pilot reported that the preflight and local flight in the traffic pattern were normal. While on final approach to runway 18, the landing gear and flaps were extended and the airspeed was between 78 and 82 knots. During touchdown, the airplane bounced and the pilot "felt it was hard." The pilot then applied full throttle in an attempt to execute a go-around. The pilot reported that after he applied full power, there was "no power response from the aircraft." Subsequently, the airplane drifted to the right, contacted the terrain between the runway and taxiway, and came to rest on the left side of the taxiway. The pilot reported the winds were from 220 degrees at 10 knots and the temperature was in the 90's [degrees Fahrenheit].

According to the pilot-rated passenger, the preflight and flight around the traffic pattern were normal. The passenger stated the pilot did a "fine job setting up for landing," and the landing "looked good up to the last few seconds." During touchdown, the airplane hit hard and bounced two times on the runway. The pilot stated to the passenger that he was executing a go-around. The pilot added full power to the engine, however, "nothing happened." The airplane then drifted to the right toward the grass, and the passenger also pulled back on the control yoke to "get this thing to climb." The airplane continued through the grass and came to rest on the taxiway. The passenger reported, "To sum it up, it was a bad landing that we didn't recover from."

At 1254, the AAO aviation routine weather report (METAR) reported the winds from 220 degrees at 13 knots, clear, temperature 96 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 65 degrees F, and altimeter setting of 29.94 inches of mercury.

Examination of the airplane by a FAA inspector revealed the nose landing gear had collapsed, the fuselage was wrinkled between the firewall and cabin, the empennage was twisted, the left and right wings were bent.

Mooney Airplane Company's general policies and procedures for flight operations specify that for a company pilot to be assigned to serve as a crewmember during a demonstration flight they must have a minimum of 200 hours total flight time, 25 hours in make, and a private pilot certificate with an instrument rating. The pilot, an employee of Mooney Airplane Company, reported he had approximately 60 total flight hours, 15 flight hours in Mooney series airplanes. The passenger, a contract pilot for Mooney Airplane Company, reported she had approximately 7,600 total flight hours and 55 to 60 flight hours in the accident airplane make and model. The private pilot and passenger stated to the NTSB investigator-in-charge and a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that the private pilot was pilot in command during the accident flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing. Contributing factors are the lack of experience of the pilot and the delayed remedial action of the airline transport pilot rated passenger.