Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On July 1, 2003, at 1317 mountain daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N2686W, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during landing at Centennial Airport (APA), Englewood, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted on a visual flight rules flight plan under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported no injuries. The cross-country flight originated at Mason City, Iowa, at 0930 central daylight time, and was en route to Denver, Colorado.

In his written statement, the pilot received instructions from APA air traffic control tower to land on runway 28 (4,903 feet by 62 feet, dry asphalt). The pilot set up for a right downwind, base turn , and final approach. The pilot reported, "On final, I had to crab about 20 degrees to the right and lineup for touchdown." The pilot reported that in the flare, he transitioned to a slip and touched down. The pilot said, "Shortly after touchdown, about 2 seconds, a wind gust picked me up about 10 feet off the runway and put me in about a 20 degree bank to the left." The pilot said he attempted to go around, but was unable to level the wings or climb. The pilot said the wind blew his airplane off of the runway. About 35 feet left of the runway's edge, the airplane's left wing struck the terrain and the airplane "cartwheeled."

An examination of the airplane showed the right main landing gear pushed upward through the wing. The left wing was bent upward and aft, starting at the flap and proceeding outboard to the tip. The bottom fuselage was buckled, starting at the trailing edges of the flaps and proceeding aft to the empennage. The horizontal stabilizer was bent and buckled aft. An examination of the engine, engine controls and other airplane's systems revealed no anomalies.

Weather at the time of the accident was reported as sky conditions scattered 9,000 feet, scattered 12,000 feet, broken 18,000 feet, visibility 10 statute miles, temperature 90 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 32 degrees F, altimeter 30.06 inches of Mercury, winds 060 degrees at 6 knots, gusting to 30 knots. Remarks: peak wind recorded at 1318, was 360 degrees at 30 knots, virga distant southeast. Density altitude was 9,153 feet mean sea level. the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the gusting crosswinds and the high density altitude.