MOONEY M20J — Falmouth, MA, 2022

MOONEY M20J — Falmouth, MA

1 fatal High-time pilotBase-to-final turn

Date	December 2, 2022
Location	Falmouth, MA
Aircraft	MOONEY M20J
Purpose of flight	Personal
Conditions	Day · Visual Meteorological Cond
Phase / occurrence	Approach-VFR pattern final Collision during takeoff/land
Pilot age	83
Pilot total time	2,659 hrs · Experienced
Time in type	2,659 hrs
Fatalities	1, 1 serious

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during the landing approach. Contributing to the accident was the sun glare, which impaired the pilot's visibility and situational awareness.

NTSB findings

Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Light condition-Glare-Effect on personnel
Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Contributed to outcome
Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot

What happened

The pilot-rated passenger described the sun as “blinding” during the landing approach, but stated that she and the pilot were uncomfortable landing on the other runway due to the wind conditions. While on final approach, the passenger adjusted the pilot’s sun visor, then looked down to confirm that the airplane was properly configured for landing. When she looked up, she knew that the airplane was going to impact trees. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane impacted 75-ft-tall trees about 300 ft from the end of the runway, then subsequently impacted terrain. The passenger reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Review of published airport information revealed that trees were listed as an obstruction for both runways.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.