# NTSB ANC91LA006: Mooney M20C, N6601U, Madison Creek, AK, October 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1990, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Madison Creek, AK
- Coordinates: 63.60987, -154.780654 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6099&lon=-154.7807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5504
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5504/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA006

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFT OFF AT AN INADEQUATE AIRSPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNPLOWED SNOW ON THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF, THE 219-HOUR PRIVATE PILOT FAILED TO OBTAIN SUFFICIENT FLYING SPEED AND CRASHED OFF THE END OF A REMOTE SNOW-COVERED DIRT STRIP. HE HAD LANDED THERE ON THE PREVIOUS DAY AFTER ENCOUNTERING LOW VISIBILITY AND WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6601U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6601U-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 2388, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2388
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael D. Landa
- Destination: MCG, MCGRATH, AK
- Airport: NONE, Madison Creek

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 219 total, 50 in this make and model, 159 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 10 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19901015046319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901015046319A), Oct 15, 1990: Mooney M20C, Madison Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Landed on mining strip due weather. On takeoff attempt got airborne at end runway too low and slow,struck trees.

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.

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