ERA20LA038

Factual narrative

On November 18, 2019, about 1625 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20M, N1031M, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at College Park Airport (CGS), College Park, Maryland. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he departed Morris Municipal Airport (C09), Morris, Illinois, about 1315. During the subsequent approach to CGS runway 15, a 2,607-ft-long, 60-ft-wide, asphalt runway, the winds were variable, but light. The airplane cleared the trees at the approach end of the runway and descended to the touchdown point. The pilot then reduced engine power and flared the airplane, but it bounced from what seemed like an unexpected and excessive sink rate. The pilot then aborted the landing by applying full engine power and remaining in ground effect. 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. After a few seconds in ground effect with no climb and realizing remaining runway was limited, he landed to the left of the runway. The airplane then struck a perimeter fence with the left wing and spun, which resulted in the nose and the right wing colliding with the fence before the airplane came to rest upright about 180° from the landing direction. Postaccident examination of the airplane, which included disassembly of the propeller, under the supervision of Federal Aviation Administration inspectors did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The recorded weather at CGS, at 1615, was: wind from 250° at 5 knots; visibility 10 miles; scattered clouds at 2,700 ft; temperature 8° C; dew point 2° C; altimeter 29.75 inches of mercury. 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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Configuration-Incorrect use/operation