# NTSB DEN03LA122: Mooney M20J, N37JK, Leadville, CO, July 6, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 6, 2003, 12:35 local (18:35 UTC) - Place: Leadville, CO - Coordinates: 39.217224, -106.316665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2172&lon=-106.3167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Denver Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 57401 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57401/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA122 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to attain adequate airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush. Contributing factors were the wind shear, runway light, fence post, and unsuitable terrain. ## 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 - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - runway light - object - fence post - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ravine (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot took off and allowed the airplane to accelerate in ground effect to normal climb speed. When he initiated the climb, airspeed dropped 20 to 25 knots and the airplane settled back onto the runway. The airplane went off the end of the runway, struck a runway light and fence post, and traveled about 1,100 feet before coming to a halt. The empennage separated from the airplane when it collided with terrain. The pilot said the wind was from 160 to 200 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 16 knots. At 1256, the recorded METAR (routine aviation weather report) at Leadville was as follows: Wind variable at 3 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; few clouds, 11,000 feet; temperature, 21 degrees Celsius; dew point, minus 7 degrees Celsius; altimeter, 30.35 inches of mercury; peak wind, 180 degrees at 35 knots; rain began at 1235, and ended at 1246; sea level pressure, 1009.0 millibars. ## Factual narrative On July 6, 2003, at 1235 mountain daylight time, a Mooney, M20J, N37JK, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during departure from Lake County Airport, Leadville, Colorado. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument rules flight plan had been filed, but had not been activated, for the cross-country flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating when the accident occurred, and was en route to Sedona, Arizona. According to the pilot's accident report, he took off and accelerated in ground effect to normal climb speed. When he initiated the climb, airspeed dropped 20 to 25 knots in just a few seconds. The airplane settled back onto, and went off the end, of the runway. The pilot said the wind was from 160 to 200 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 16 knots. At 1256, the recorded METAR (routine aviation weather report) at Leadville was as follows: Wind variable at 3 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; few clouds, 11,000 feet; temperature, 21 degrees Celsius; dew point, minus 7 degrees Celsius; altimeter, 30.35 inches of mercury; peak wind, 180 degrees at 35 knots; rain began at 1235, and ended at 1246; sea level pressure, 1009.0 millibars. The computed density altitude was approximately 12,575 feet above mean sea level. According to a Lake County deputy sheriff who examined the accident site, the airplane struck two runway end lights, traveled 40 feet through the air, struck the ground, became airborne for 158 feet, struck the ground, became airborne for 479 feet, struck the ground and went over a steep hillside, struck a barbed wire fence and post, and slid 422 feet before coming to a halt. The empennage separated from the airplane during the accident sequence. Total distance from the runway end to where the airplane came to a halt was about 1,100 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N37JK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37JK-2007-06-29), registration cancelled 2007-06-29, S/N 24-0836, 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: 24-0836 - Airframe hours: 3006 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 2002, 58 hours before - Departed: LXV, Leadville, CO - Destination: SEZ, Sedona, AZ - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: LXV, Lake County, runway 16, 6,400 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: serious; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 11, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 28,197 total, 300 in this make and model, 23,141 as pilot in command, 117 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots, gusting 35 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: LXV, 1 nm away ## 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 20030706013759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030706013759A), Jul 6, 2003: Mooney M20J, Leadville, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot weikel is in the hospital with serious injuries - will follow up when he recovers. (-23 amendment) upon take off at the Leadville, Colorado… 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.