Palo Alto Crash 9/4/2018

[donkaye, MCFI]

Without judging I'd like to share a couple of observations and make a comment:

1. Pilot owned aircraft since April of this year.  No known Mooney checkout.

2. Palo Alto has a short runway.  (2443 feet)

3. I've attached a rough but I believe reasonably close to accurate Weight and Balance after finding out both passengers were in the back seat.

4. Appears to have stalled on go around after a too fast approach.

Recommendation to all in unusual loading situations:  Do a Weight and Balance and adjust if necessary to the result.

 

 

[Mjknick@gmail.com]

Let’s wait for NTSB report. Very sad event.


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[MIm20c]

I’m not going to comment especially being an AF and the swarm of lawyers that will follow.  

[rahill]

Yes, I did something similar (a practice/estimate W&B, not a stall!) - I was a bit surprised to find that it was within range.  

Rich

[Hank]

I noticed a significant change in CG and rotation with two adults, half tanks and two cases of oil in the baggage area. Even my buddy riding with me commented on it. 

[skydvrboy]

I nearly got myself in trouble once early on with the Mooney when I went into an airport solo and picked up two adults (400+ lbs) who both wanted to ride in the back.  I calculated that I was within weight and balance, but forgot to retrim before takeoff.  I had a surprisingly early takeoff at low speed and it took everything I had to push the nose down until I could get trimmed up right.  I know that doesn't exactly apply to this situation, but very important to retrim if CG changes.