CHI07LA211

NTSB accident investigation · Mooney M20J · Eden Prairie, MN · July 15, 2007

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
July 15, 2007, 09:05 local (14:05 UTC)
Place
Eden Prairie, MN
Injuries
1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N4785HMooney M20J
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report June 30, 2008
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
FAA
FAA report
20070715019589A
Case key
66264

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident were the embankment and the fence.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - in flightTakeoff - initial climb
Aircraft control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled
Terrain condition - ground
On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterOther
Terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankmentFactor
Nose gear collapsedOther
Landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload
On ground/water collision with objectOther
Object - fenceFactor

Analysis

The pilot reported that upon reaching rotation speed, the airplane did not properly "develop lift" and the rudder seemed to be stuck in a full deflected position. The airplane yawed to the left at an altitude of 8 to 10 feet above the runway. The airplane then settled to the ground off the left side of the runway where it contacted an embankment. The nose gear sheared off, and the airplane continued up the embankment coming to rest when it contacted a fence. Post accident inspection of the airplane failed to reveal any anomalies with the flight control system. Winds at the time of the accident were reported as being calm.

Factual narrative

On July 15, 2007, at 0905 central daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N4785H, collided with the terrain following a loss of control during takeoff at the Flying Cloud Airport (FCM), Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The private pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and an instrument flight plan had been filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Gary, Indiana.

The pilot reported that upon reaching rotation speed, the airplane did not properly "develop lift" and the rudder seemed to be stuck in a full deflected position. The airplane yawed to the left at an altitude of 8 to 10 feet above the runway. The airplane then settled to the ground off the left side of the runway where it contacted an embankment. The nose gear sheared off, and the airplane continued up the embankment coming to rest when it contacted a fence.

Post accident inspection of the airplane was conducted by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Minneapolis Flight Standards District Office. The inspector reported that he established flight control continuity between the cockpit and flight control surfaces, and that no anomalies were found. Winds at the time of the accident were reported as being calm.

Aircraft

Registration
N4785H
Reported as
Mooney M20J
Category
Airplane
Serial number
24-0875
Airframe hours
3,372
Engine
Lycoming IO-360-B, 200 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
William R. Lynch, Jr.
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · March 1, 2007 · 11 hours before
Departed
FCM · Eden Prairie, MN
Destination
GYY · Gary, IN
Flight plan
IFR
Airport
FCM · Flying Cloud, runway 28L, 3,909 × 75 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
45
Injuries
Minor
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Without waivers/limitations
Last flight review
April 1, 2006
Seat
Left
Flight hours
353 total · 256 in this make and model · 11 in the last 90 days · 11 in the last 30 days · 0 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
Calm
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
73 °F, dew point 66 °F
Altimeter
29.87 inHg
Observed at
FCM

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.