# NTSB CHI07LA211: Mooney M20J, N4785H, Eden Prairie, MN, July 15, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 15, 2007, 09:05 local (14:05 UTC) - Place: Eden Prairie, MN - Coordinates: 44.82722, -93.457221 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8272&lon=-93.4572&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 66264 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07LA211 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66264/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07LA211 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, other - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, other - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload - On ground/water collision with object, other - object - fence (contributing factor) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4785H-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 24-0875, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20J - Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-0875 - Airframe hours: 3372 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20070715019589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070715019589A), Jul 15, 2007: Mooney M20J, Minneapolis, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported that the aircraft initiated an uncommanded yaw to the left after the take off and had reached an altitude of approximately 8 feet AGL.… 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.