Monday, March 30, 2026

Hard landing: Hard landing: Mooney M20E Chaparral, N9081V, accident occurred on December 16, 2025, at Louisiana Regional Airport (REG/KREG), Gonzales, Louisiana


  • Location: Gonzales, Louisiana 
  • Accident Number: CEN26LA063 
  • Date & Time: December 16, 2025, 09:40 Local 
  • Registration: N9081V 
  • Aircraft: Mooney M20E 
  • Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
  • Defining Event: Hard landing 
  • Injuries: 2 Minor 
  • Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202172/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202172

The pilot and his safety pilot were conducting a proficiency flight for insurance purposes. According to the pilot, he began the landing flare too high and the airplane bounced when the main wheels touched down. The safety pilot reported that he monitored the pilot’s remedial action to the bounced landing. According to the safety pilot, the pilot increased airplane pitch but did not increase engine power which resulted in a second bounced landing. The safety pilot then took over the flight controls and advanced the throttle to maximum rpm. The safety pilot stated that he was unable to regain directional control and the airplane touched down a third time, veered left, passed through a fence, and impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the horizontal stabilizer. Both pilots reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, the safety pilot stated that the accident might have been prevented had he taken over controls and/or called for an aborted landing sooner.

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper pitch control that resulted in a hard landing, and his improper recovery from multiple bounced landings. Contributing to the accident was the safety pilot’s delayed response to the initial bounced landing which led to the runway excursion.

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