According to the pilot, during a night approach, he realized that the Mooney M20K was short of the runway and applied power. The plane rolled to the left and hit the ground near Los Lunas, N.M.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the leading edge of the right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause: The pilot’s improper glidepath during a night approach, which resulted in impact with terrain short of the runway.
NTSB Identification: GAA17CA580
This November 2017 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
The fence is 300ft short of the threshold line. Could have been an undershoot caused by the well known night illusion of the airplane appearing too high. This runway does not have a VASI. In place of that make sure you are descending toward the same point on the runway where a VASI would be located (fourth white runway edge lights would appear stable in the windshield). The green threshold lights should be moving downward in the windshield.
Something is missing in his explanation, he applied power and the plane rolled rolled left?
He rolled left because he stalled it would appear; right wing had the most damage. Makes sense it rolls left and turns into spin it would hit right wing
Bluestar – it’s possible. Torque reaction is a force discussed in the Handbook which causes a rolling moment to the left from the right turning engine.
Improper glide path led to a powered roll and crash? The glide path correction would not CAUSE the loss of control…the inability of the pilot to apply power and keep the plane on a straight line is the cause.