Mooney M20J N1157N accident near Cedar Key, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to follow the manufacturer’s go-around procedure, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot reported that, during the landing roll, he had traveled about halfway down the 2,355 ft-long runway when he realized that a go-around was going to be required. He could not recall the airplane's airspeed when the airplane touched down on the runway that was located steps from the ocean. However, he did recall that he initiated the go-around by applying full throttle, retracting the flaps to 0, and rotating at 62 knots. The airplane "lifted off but did not gain altitude." The pilot lowered the nose to accelerate, but the airplane stalled and impacted the water. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar and aileron.

According to the manufacturer's Pilot's Operating Handbook, the go-around procedure is:

CAUTION

To minimize control wheel forces during go-around, timely nose-down trimming is recommended to counteract nose up pitching moment as power is increased and/or flap retraction.

Power…..Full Throttle/2700 RPM

Mixture…..Full Rich

Airspeed…..65 KIAS

Wing Flaps…..Takeoff position after climb established

Trim…..Nose Down (to reduce control forces)

Airspeed…..Accelerate to 76 KIAS

Landing Gear…..-Retract

Wing Flaps…..Retract

Cowl Flaps…..Open

Airspeed…..Accelerate to 86 KIAS

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA211 for the full record.