NYC95LA222

Factual narrative

On September 15, 1995, about 1113 eastern daylight time, a Mooney, M20J, N5688M, collided with the terrain after initiating a go-around at a private airstrip near Jonestown, Pennsylvania. The airplane was destroyed. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Just before touchdown the pilot elected to abort the approach and applied engine power for a go-around. The pilot stated, "...on final flair out right wing lifted and airplane veered to left." According to the FAA Inspector's statement: ...the aircraft was destroyed from post impact fire...initial impact was where the prop appeared to hit a concrete porch...approximately 5 gallons of fuel [was drained] from the right wing tank. The left wing tank appeared empty. The fuel selector was on the right tank...the pilot stated that the airplane veered to the left and he was unable to gain control...several witnesses stated that the airplane was in a steep right turn, and the nose was at an unusually high attitude.... Examination of the engine did not reveal any discrepancies. The pilot said to the FAA after the accident, "...the engine seemed to be developing full power...." At the time of the accident, the pilot had 743 total flight hours, 100 flight hours in this make and model airplane. The reported local weather at the time of the accident was; clear, visibility 20 miles, temperature 66 degrees F, dew point 50 degrees F, wind 020 degrees, 6 knots, altimeter 30.31 inches Hg. The airplane descended and collided with a residence during a go-around. The pilot reported that when he initiated the go-around, the airplane 'pulled' sharply to the left which he was unable to correct with full right aileron. He indicated that the airplane would not climb despite retracting the gear. He did not recall if the flaps were up or down. Several witnesses stated that the airplane was in a steep right turn, and that the nose was at an unusually high attitude before it descended. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12