# Accident 20020902024609A: Mooney M20, Sierraville, CA, September 2, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 2, 2002, 15:15 local time
- Place: Sierraville, CA
- Airport: Sierraville Dearwater Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.5811° N, 120.3544° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5811&lon=-120.3544&mi=10
- Aircraft: N881B, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N881B-2005-06-29) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Mooney M20 (registry code 5870202, https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX02LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA271) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020902024609A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) AIRCRAFT CRASHED ON TAKE OFF DURING HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND CROSS WIND CONDITIONS. (.19) ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2002, ABOUT 1500 PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME, A MOONEY M-20, N881B, VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY DURING TAKEOFF FROM DEARWATER AIRPORT, SIERRAVILLE, CALIFORNIA. THE OWNER WAS OPERATING THE AIRPLANE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CFR PART 91. THE PRIVATE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED; THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PERSONAL CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT WAS EN ROUTE TO CLOVERDALE, CALIFORNIA. DAY VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED, AND NO FLIGHT PLAN HAD BEEN FILED.THE PILOT STATED THAT THE WINDS WERE 10 KNOTS FROM HIS 2 O'CLOCK POSITION WITH GUSTS TO 15 KNOTS. THE AIRPORT ELEVATION WAS 5,000 FEET AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 80 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. HE SAID THAT JUST AS HE WAS LIFTING OFF THE GROUND, THE WIND BLEW HIM OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. AS HE ADJUSTED THE AIRPLANE'S ATTITUDE, IT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX02LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA271), Sep 2, 2002: Mooney M20 (N881B), Sierraville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's decision to attempt takeoff in crosswind conditions that likely exceeded the capability of the airplane, and, his subsequent failure to maintain the airplane's proper alignment over the…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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