CHI99LA243

While waiting for an instrument flight rules clearance at the departure end of runway 12, the pilot shut the engine down and exited the airplane to obtain cleaning materials from the airplane's baggage compartment. The pilot reported that he did not double-check the baggage door and did not utilize a checklist. The baggage door opened after lifting off at a point located approximately 1/2 down runway 12. The pilot attempted to return to land on runway 20 during which he overshot the turn to final and stalled the aircraft while in a 45 degree banked turn with the gear down and flaps extended 10 degrees. He applied power and initiated a recovery but touched down short of runway 20. The aircraft then nosed into a drainage ditch.

On July 19, 1999, at 0800 central daylight time, a Mooney M20F, N7141V, owned and piloted by an instrument rated private pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during an approach to runway 20 (3,205 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) at Marshall Municipal-Ryan Field Airport (MML), Marshall, Minnesota. The pilot reported that the aircraft baggage door opened after lift-off from runway 12 (5,010 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) at MML. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The personal flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Chandler Field Airport, Alexandria, Minnesota.

During a telephone conversation, the pilot reported that the accident aircraft, which he used for personal transportation, was based at MML. He stated that when he received a 15-20 minute delay for an IFR release from the Princeton Flight Service Station, he taxied out to runway 12, shut the engine down and exited the aircraft to obtain a bottle of cleaner from the aircraft's baggage compartment to clean the interior of the aircraft's windshield. After cleaning the windshield, he then placed the bottle of cleaning fluid on the rear seat and restarted the engine. He added that he did not double check if the latch on the baggage door was secured nor did he utilize a checklist after securing the cabin door. The pilot stated that the baggage door opened after lifting off at a point approximately 1/2 down runway 12. The pilot stated that he thought about aborting the takeoff on the remaining runway but elected to continue the climb and return to the airport. The pilot reported that during his return, he maintained visual sight of the airport and entered a left downwind for runway 20; he did not recall his distance from the runway. He added that he overshot the turn to final and subsequently stalled the aircraft while attempting to return to runway's centerline in a 45 degree banked turn with the landing gear and 10 degrees of flaps extended. The pilot stated that he added power during his stall recovery. The pilot also stated that he did not choose to land on runway 12 since he did not want to damage a Citation Jet, which was number one for departure on runway 12. He stated there were no problems with the door and that the door always latched "tight".

In a written statement the pilot reported the following. "Arrived at airport at 12:30. Preflighted airplane and removed from hanger. Taxied to runway 12 and was delayed clearance for 15 to 20 minutes for incoming air traffic. Shut down plane during wait and removed cleaners from baggage door. Cleaned airplane interior surfaces while waiting. Received clearance after 4th plane landed 13:05. Upon lift off baggage door came open. Chose to go around and land on runway 20 while remaining VFR. Turning final to runway 20 bank became to steep and plane stalled. Recovering from stall overshot the runway and landed near grass on NW side of runway heading 160. Nose gear caught plow furrow on edge of field short of grass and plane. Nosed into small drainage ditch before grass clear zone."