Mooney Aircraft Corp. M20K N231K accident near Anderson, South Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an attempted go-around.

NTSB analysis

The pilot stated that he landed the airplane, and, about halfway down the runway, the wind shifted to a strong tailwind and the airplane’s tail rose up. The airplane veered to the left, and the pilot applied full power to perform a go-around. The airplane became airborne, but the airspeed was inadequate; the left wing struck the ground, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest in a grassy area on the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, firewall, and left wing. The pilot reported there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11CA494 for the full record.