# NTSB CHI99LA243: Mooney M20F, N7141V, Marshall, MN, July 19, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1999, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Marshall, MN
- Coordinates: 44.449455, -95.779624 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4495&lon=-95.7796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46825
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46825/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA243

## Probable cause

the inadvertent stall and the checklist not followed by the pilot.  Contributing factors were the baggage door not secured and the precautionary landing attempt by the pilot.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff
  - door,cargo/baggage - open (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper alignment - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

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.

## Factual narrative

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."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7141V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7141V-2009-12-10), registration cancelled 2009-12-10, S/N 22-0060, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Mooney M20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-0060
- Airframe hours: 3868
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald Ringquist
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 1999, 43 hours before
- Departed: MML
- Destination: AXN, ALEXANDRIA, MN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MML, Marshall Municipal-Ryan, runway 20, 3,205 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 950 total, 675 in this make and model, 932 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MML

## 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 19990719009319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990719009319A), Jul 19, 1999: Mooney M20F, Marshall, MN, Substantial damage. Information received from airport manager. Aircraft departed runway 20, aircraft cargo door opened, pilot continued in local pattern attempting to return and…

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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