Mooney M20S accident near Mayfield, Kentucky, July 28, 2009
On July 28, 2009 at about 3:50 pm local time, a Mooney M20S, registered N1008R, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Mayfield, Kentucky (Mayfield Graves County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot prematurely retracting the landing gear and flaps during the aborted landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 28, 2009 · about 3:50 pm local time
- Place
- Mayfield, Kentucky · Mayfield Graves County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20S · all M20Ss on the register
- Registration
- N1008R · registry record · serial 300055
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, he aborted the landing on the 5,001-foot-long by 100-foot-wide runway after two bounces. He applied full power, retracted the landing gear and the flaps, and the airplane settled to the runway. The airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway, struck runway lights, and substantially damaged the underside of the airframe. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane, and when asked how this accident could have been prevented, explained that a positive rate of climb should have been established before the gear and flaps were retracted.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during landing
- Runway excursion during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › TE flap control system › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action sequence › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 365 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 31 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 268 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 10, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,482 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 29, 2008; 55 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,368 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550-G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: UCY Union City TN at 3:35 pm
- Destination: M25 Mayfield KY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 5,001 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 900 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from PAH, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.
Other NTSB records under N1008R the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.