Mooney M20J accident near North Canton, Ohio, June 5, 2011
On June 5, 2011 at about 11:10 pm local time, a Mooney M20J, registered N1146B, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near North Canton, Ohio (Akron-Canton Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper landing flare and recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 5, 2011 · about 11:10 pm local time
- Place
- North Canton, Ohio · Akron-Canton Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20J · all M20Js on the register
- Registration
- N1146B · no longer on the register · serial 24-1195
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the airplane bounced after a hard landing. He attempted to regain control of the airplane, but it veered off the left side of the runway. The airplane came to rest on an embankment, and a postimpact ground fire ensued. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation 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
What happened, in order
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Loss of control in flight during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Runway excursion during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,060 hours in all; 206 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: March 1, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,510 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 4, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 2,740 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: KAZO Kalamazoo MI at 9:50 pm
- Destination: KCAK North Canton OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 05, 8,204 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 22,000 ft; a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 10:51 pm from KCAK
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.