N9722MMooney M20F · 1967

On April 19, 2012, about 1130 central daylight time, a Mooney M20F, N9722M, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees while attempting to perform a go-around at the Houston County Airport, McKinnon, Tennessee. The private pilot and two passengers were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Humphreys County Airport, Waverly, Tennessee. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

The pilot reported that the airplane was on approach to runway 8, a 3,000-foot-long, asphalt runway. The airplane was "high and fast" on the approach, and he intended to go-around. The airplane did not climb as expected and subsequently impacted trees that were located about 700 feet beyond the end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.

Examination of the airframe and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. In addition, the pilot reported that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions. The FAA inspector found the landing gear extended and the wing flaps extended to the full down position after the accident.

Winds reported an airport located about 30 miles northeast of M93, at 1155, were from 100 degrees at 7 knots; however, witnesses reported that winds were from the west at 10 to 15 knots at the time of the accident. In addition, the pilot reported that the winds had shifted from east to west during the flight; and he did not note the position of the airport wind sock prior to landing. He also stated that the 3,000 foot-long runway was the shortest runway he had attempted to land on.

In the Operator/Owner Recommendation section of the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report, the pilot stressed the importance of making a decision to go-around in a timely manner and without hesitation, particularly when attempting to land on runways less than 4,000 feet long.