# NTSB DEN03LA047: Mooney M20C, N9313V, Colo Springs, CO, March 9, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 9, 2003, 13:46 local (20:46 UTC) - Place: Colo Springs, CO - Coordinates: 38.80915, -104.710586 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8092&lon=-104.7106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Denver FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56608 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56608/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA047 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during initial climb which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing factors include the downdraft, crosswind and gusty wind conditions. ## Analysis According to the pilot, the take-off roll was "right on centerline." He rotated after attaining approximately 80 mph, retracted the landing gear, and accelerated to "90 mph." After climbing "approximately 50 to 100 feet in the air," he experienced "a gust and a strong downdraft" and the airplane would not climb. He said the gust and strong downdraft forced the airplane lower and to the right. He lowered the nose of the airplane in an attempt to gain airspeed. All instruments were in the "green" and the last indicated airspeed was 80-85 mph. The airplane impacted the ground approximately 170 feet right of the centerline, and 575 feet beyond the runway's threshold. The airplane slid approximately 140 additional feet. The engine mount was displaced, the firewall was torn, and the fuselage above the windshield was buckled. ## Factual narrative On March 9, 2003, at 1346 mountain standard time, a Mooney M20C, N9313V, operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during initial climb from Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS), Colorado Springs, Colorado. The airline transport pilot and front seat passenger sustained minor injuries, and the rear seat passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. An instrument flight plan was filed for this cross-country flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, the take-off roll on runway 35L was "right on centerline." He stated that he rotated after attaining approximately 80 mph, retracted the landing gear, and accelerated to "90 mph." After climbing "approximately 50 to 100 feet in the air," he experienced "a gust and a strong downdraft" and the airplane would not climb. He said the "gust and strong downdraft" forced the airplane "lower and to the right." He lowered the nose of the airplane in an attempt to gain airspeed. All instruments were in the "green" and the last indicated airspeed was 80-85 mph. The airplane impacted the ground approximately 170 feet right of the centerline, and 575 feet beyond the runway's threshold. The airplane slid approximately 140 additional feet. The engine mount was displaced, the firewall was torn, and the fuselage above the windshield was buckled. At 1354, the reported weather at Colorado Springs Municipal Airport was, wind, 290 degrees at 20 knots, gusting to 26 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; sky condition, clear; temperature, 17 degrees C.; dew point, minus 9 degrees C.; altimeter setting, 30.04. Remarks; peak wind at 1336 was, 300 degrees at 27 knots. ## 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) - climb - not successful, pilot in command - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - open field - terrain condition - grass ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9313V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9313V-2018-01-29), registration cancelled 2018-01-29, S/N 690091, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20C - Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 690091 - Airframe hours: 3399 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-AID 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lewis A. Hartwell, JR. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 2002, 76 hours before - Departed: COS, Colorado Spring, CO - Destination: WDG, Enid, OK - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: COS, City of Colo Sprgs Municipal, runway 35L, 11,021 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; airline transport, military; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 16, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 5,703 total, 283 in this make and model, 3,951 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 20 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: COS ## 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 20030309004079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030309004079A), Mar 9, 2003: Mooney M20C, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot reported that on take off from Colorado Springs muni runway 35L he experienced wind shear between 50-100 feet AGL. The aircraft lost airspeed… 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.