# NTSB CEN12CA598: Mooney M20E, N5642Q, Gresham, WI, August 17, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 17, 2012, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Gresham, WI
- Coordinates: 44.852779, -88.788055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8528&lon=-88.7881&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84915
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA598
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84915/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84915
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA598

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control and clearance from field corn during takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During takeoff from a 1,600-foot by 50-foot private grass airstrip, the airplane's right wing contacted tall field corn. The airplane entered the corn, yawed to the right, cartwheeled, and came to rest 180 degrees from the takeoff direction. The pilot reported no preimpact anomalies with the airplane. Both wings were bent and buckled.

## Factual narrative

During takeoff from a 1,600 feet long by 50 feet wide private grass airstrip, the airplane's right wing contacted tall field corn. The airplane entered the corn, yawed to the right, cartwheeled, and came to rest 180 degrees from the takeoff direction. The pilot reported no preimpact anomalies with the airplane. Both wings were bent and buckled.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5642Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5642Q-2013-02-19), registration cancelled 2013-02-19, S/N 677, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 677
- Airframe hours: 4500
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: On File
- Registered owner: On File
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2011
- Departed: PVT, Gresham, WI
- Destination: CLI, Clintonville, WI
- Airport: PVT, Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 28,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 13,500 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 20120817018049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120817018049A), Aug 17, 2012: Mooney M20E, Gresham, WI, Substantial damage. On August 16, 2012, at 12:30 cdst the pilot of a Mooney M20E, N5642Q, lost laterial control of aircraft during a takeoff from his private stripe near Gresham…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 21, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84915. 1.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377344&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.

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