Mooney M20M accident near Summerville, South Carolina, November 11, 2005
On November 11, 2005 at about 7:18 pm local time, a Mooney M20M, registered N43CW, was substantially damaged in an accident near Summerville, South Carolina (Summerville Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to follow the pre-landing checklist which resulted in a gear up landing and subsequent propeller strike. The pilots improper decision to attempt a go-around after the propeller strike, resulted in a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing, and collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 11, 2005 · about 7:18 pm local time
- Place
- Summerville, South Carolina · Summerville Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20M · all M20Ms on the register
- Registration
- N43CW · registry record · serial 27-0117
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During landing, the pilot failed to extend the landing gear. He stated that he ran through the normal landing check list including putting the landing gear down. At touchdown, the wind picked up and the airplane was going "a little to fast." The airplane bounced and he elected to do a go-around and try again. Witnesses observed the gear up landing, saw the propeller strike the ground, and then the pilot attempted a go-around. He climbed to 500 feet and circled runway 24 twice, and attempted a second landing. After the accident, the pilot stated that during the approach a loss of engine power occurred and he was unable to reach the runway. The airplane collided with trees and subsequently the ground. Examination of the runway found scrape marks and propeller slashes. There were no mechanical problems discovered during the post-accident examination of the airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 407 hours in all; 29 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 369 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,285 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2005; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: EOP Waverly OH at 5:00 pm
- Destination: DYB Summerville SC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 6, 3,701 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 7:40 pm from CHS, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.