Mooney M20M accident near College Park, Maryland, November 18, 2019
On November 18, 2019 at about 9:25 pm local time, a 1989 Mooney M20M, registered N1031M, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near College Park, Maryland (College Park 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’s improper flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, his improper airplane configuration during the attempted go-around, which resulted in the airplane not climbing, and his subsequent landing off the side of the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 18, 2019 · about 9:25 pm local time
- Place
- College Park, Maryland · College Park Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20M No Series, built 1989 · all M20Ms on the register
- Registration
- N1031M · no longer on the register · serial 27-0005
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During approach in light and variable wind conditions, the airplane cleared the trees at the approach end of the runway and descended to the touchdown point, where it bounced upon landing. The pilot then aborted the landing by applying full engine power and remaining in ground effect; however, he did not retract the landing gear because he saw no indication of climb and did not engage the flap switch over concern that the flaps would retract past the takeoff setting and reduce lift. The pilot’s failure to retract the flaps to the takeoff setting likely resulted in reduced airplane climb performance. After a few seconds in ground effect without the airplane climbing, the pilot realized that limited runway remained, so he landed to the left of the runway and the left wing impacted a perimeter fence. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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 (flare/touchdown)
- Miscellaneous/other during landing (aborted after touchdown)
- Loss of control on ground during landing defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Configuration › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,700 hours in all; 35 in this make and model; 110 in the last 90 days; 22 in the last 30 days; 3,300 as pilot in command; 122 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 11, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,190 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 13, 2019; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,368 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-AF1B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: C09 Morris IL at 6:15 pm
- Destination: CGS College Park MD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 15, 2,607 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,700 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.75 inHg
- Observation at 9:15 pm from CGS
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on October 20, 2020. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | POH Excerpts | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Excerpts from Propeller Logbook | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Weather Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photo Array | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Manufacturer Report of Propeller Teardown Examination | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N1031M 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.