Are Mooney's safe airplanes?

[mrjones30]

This might be a newbie question but I was wondering if Mooney's are among the safest planes to fly in it's class compared to other airplanes. I tend to hear more about Cirrus planes crashing these days.

[RJBrown]

The safest airplane is the one with the safest pilot. That is why you hear of so many Cirrus crashes. They tout their "saftey" features to an certain demographic who buy them and promptly exceed their own abilities as a pilot hoping the Cirrus will save them. Beech Bonanzas used to be called "Doctor Killers" for similar pilot related issues.

To answer you title question. Yes they are. When flown properly by a conservative, current and well trained pilot. The biggest variable is pilot attitude.

[201er]

It almost doesn't matter considering the vast majority of accidents are considered "pilot error." If you eliminate the pilot, they're all safe airplanes!

[N9453V]

The Air Safety Foundation did a study comparing Mooneys to others in the same class in 1995, the results were favorable: http://www.aopa.org/asf/asfarticles/sp9510.html

Mooney's like most airplanes can be very safe airplanes provided the pilot is properly trained and proficient. I was talking to a friend at the FAA and he was saying that statistically, pilots of TAA (Technologically Advanced Aircraft) like the Cirrus are no safer since often they will rely too much on the advanced avionics and get themselves in bad situations.

[rbridges]

^^^

all of the above, and given it's relatively low stall speed and easy flying characteristics, I would say it holds its own against other small planes.

[Parker_Woodruff]

The evidence shows itself in the lower insurance rates compared to other single engine, retractable gear aircraft.  Mooneys have an excellent structure that has kept their occupants safe on more than one occasion.

[DaV8or]

In addition, the Mooney has a better glide ratio than most other older certified planes. This helps it reach a runway or suitable surface rather than land in a ditch.

[philipneeper]

i dont know how to subscribe to this post without commenting, but i like this thread

[mrjones30]

Quote: 201er

It almost doesn't matter considering the vast majority of accidents are considered "pilot error." If you eliminate the pilot, they're all safe airplanes!

[mrjones30]

Quote: philipneeper

i dont know how to subscribe to this post without commenting, but i like this thread

[mrjones30]

Quote: RJBrown

The safest airplane is the one with the safest pilot. That is why you hear of so many Cirrus crashes. They tout their "saftey" features to an certain demographic who buy them and promptly exceed their own abilities as a pilot hoping the Cirrus will save them. Beech Bonanzas used to be called "Doctor Killers" for similar pilot related issues.

To answer you title question. Yes they are. When flown properly by a conservative, current and well trained pilot. The biggest variable is pilot attitude.

[201er]

Quote: mrjones30

 Now when you mean pilot error, did they just make a mistake that they can't correct or tried to do something they don't normally do?

[DaV8or]

Quote: mrjones30

  The site has been "buggy" as of late.

[philipneeper]

Quote: mrjones30

 Just check the Notify me via e-mail at the bottom.  The site has been "buggy" as of late.

[kris_adams]

Pilot error:

1) don't run it out of gas

2) don't fly it into terrain (vmc-imc, night flying if not proficient, etc).

Those two things will go a long way. Neither are Mooney specific.

Kris

[Hank]

Quote: DaV8or

[rbridges]

Quote: Kris_Adams

Pilot error:

1) don't run it out of gas

2) don't fly it into terrain (vmc-imc, night flying if not proficient, etc).

Those two things will go a long way. Neither are Mooney specific.

Kris

[rbridges]

duplicate post

[RJBrown]

Quote: mrjones30

 Can you please elaborate on the "Pilot attitude" comment? What exactly did you mean by that.

[DaV8or]

Quote: Hank

[mrjones30]

I'm in for donating!! This site is great!!!

[Comatose]

They don't often break up in flight, they're very stable, they're good in crosswinds, they climb well and they glide well. Most of them run engines that are on the more reliable side. They're strong in a crash. They all have some sort of autopilot system. I don't know what more you could ask of the plane - the rest is up to you.

On the other hand, if you're a newly minted pilot, it will take you 25 to 50 hours to stop being dangrously behind the plane. They're not very tolerant of poor speed control on landing. They're hard to descend and slow down in simultaneously, so you have to start thinking landing about 50 miles out. You have to remember to put the gear down.

 

[PTK]

Studies show that a Mooney is as safe as its pilot, like a car is as safe as its driver and like a gun is as safe as its operator. All these can be most safe or unsafe depending.

Do we need studies for this?!

[Parker_Woodruff]

Quote: Comatose

On the other hand, if you're a newly minted pilot, it will take you 25 to 50 hours to stop being dangrously behind the plane. They're not very tolerant of poor speed control on landing. They're hard to descend and slow down in simultaneously, so you have to start thinking landing about 50 miles out. You have to remember to put the gear down.

 

[Hank]

Quote: Parker_Woodruff

Mooneys are not that hard to learn.  Fly with a CFI who is Mooney experienced and it won't be a problem.  And if you're not thinking at 150+ knots, just pull the throttle back.