# NTSB CEN10LA243: Mooney M20G, N9221V, Benton, AR, May 8, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 7, 2010, 19:05 local (May 8, 2010, 00:05 UTC) - Place: Benton, AR - Coordinates: 34.590278, -92.479446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5903&lon=-92.4794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75970 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA243 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75970/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75970 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA243 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the aborted takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M-20G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5870216), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M-20G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870216), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M-20G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5870216), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M-20G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870216), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Mooney M-20G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5870216), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis During takeoff, approximately 20 feet above ground level, the airplane began a right yaw which the pilot corrected through the use of airplane rudder. The airplane then began to bank and yaw left. The pilot reported that the "excessive" amounts of aileron were required to level the airplane's bank. The pilot elected to land the airplane on the remaining runway. During the landing rollout, the right landing gear collapsed, followed shortly by the collapse of the left landing gear and then the nose gear. The airplane came to rest off the left side of the runway. An examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. ## Factual narrative On May 7, 2010, approximately 1905 central daylight time, a Mooney M20G, N9221V, was substantially damaged following a loss of directional control and subsequent impact with terrain during initial takeoff. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. The cross-country flight was departing the Benton Regional Airport (KSUZ), Benton, Arkansas, at the time of the accident. According to a statement provided by the pilot, the airplane was attempting to depart runway 02. While on the takeoff roll, the airplane was rotated at 65 knots and was accelerating to 75 knots. The pilot reported that the airplane began an uncommanded right yaw. The pilot attempted to correct with rudder inputs, but then the airplane rolled and yaw to the left. The pilot added that an "excessive" amount of aileron was required to level the airplane. When the airplane was approximately 20 feet above ground level and at about 80 knots, the pilot attempted to land the airplane on the remaining runway. During the landing, the pilot reported that the landing was normal until the right landing gear folded into the wheel well. The pilot tried to keep the right wing up by banking left. The left gear collapsed and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane's nose gear separated from the fuselage and the propeller struck the ground. The airplane skidded off the left side of the runway. An examination of the airframe by the responding FAA inspector revealed that the left wing was bent upwards just inboard of the aileron. Control continuity was established to the ailerons and elevator. Impact damage to the fuselage precluded an examination of the rudder system; however, the rudder was properly secured to the control mounts. No pre-impact anomalies were detected with the airframe or engine. Marks on the runway consistent with contact of the left wing were found approximately 1,450 feet down the runway and with propeller strikes were found approximately 1,550 feet down the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9221V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9221V-2013-09-11), registration cancelled 2013-09-11, S/N 690019, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20G - Registry model: [Mooney M-20G](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m-20g) (registry code 5870216) (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: 690019 - Airframe hours: 3182 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 2009, 10 hours before - Departed: KSUZ, Benton, AR - Destination: KSLG, Siloam Springs, AR - Airport: KSUZ, Saline County Regional, runway 02, 5,001 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 21, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 940 total, 173 in this make and model, 920 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 8 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: KLIT, 15 nm away ## 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 20100507033499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100507033499A), May 7, 2010: Mooney M-20G, Benton, AR, Substantial damage. On may 7, 2010 at 7:05 pm local, Mooney M20G, registration number N9221V, attempted a take off from Benton regional airport (suz) located in Benton, Arkansas.… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75970. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 398 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331086&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement: Pilot's additional statement (item 2, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331087&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%3A%20Pilot%27s%20additional%20statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo: Left wing damage (item 3, .PDF, 262 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331091&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20Left%20wing%20damage-Master.PDF - Photo: overview (item 4, .PDF, 398 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331092&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20overview-Master.PDF - Photo: Ground scars (item 5, .PDF, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331099&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20Ground%20scars-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.