# NTSB DEN08CA086: Mooney M20E, N79833, Erie, CO, April 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 28, 2008, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Erie, CO - Coordinates: 40.009998, -105.034721 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0100&lon=-105.0347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 67965 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08CA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67965/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA086 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain directional control of the airplane during the touch and go landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot was applying power during a practice soft field touch and go landing when the aircraft veered to the left, departed the paved surface of the runway and struck an airfield sign. The weather was clear with winds 230 degrees at 4 knots. Examination of the aircraft revealed damage to the right aileron. The pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot was applying power during a practice soft field touch and go landing when the aircraft veered to the left, departed the paved surface of the runway and struck an airfield sign. The student pilot stated he had accomplished three soft field practice takeoff and landings in the accident airplane the day of the accident (15 to 20 total), prior to being cleared by his flight instructor to perform the maneuver solo. The student pilot stated he was uncomfortable performing the maneuver due to the airplane's high engine power and tendency to pull hard to the left during the maneuver. The weather was clear with winds 230 degrees at 4 knots. Examination of the aircraft revealed damage to the right aileron. The student pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N79833](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N79833), registered now, S/N 497, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20E - Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 497 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Facey Enterprises, Inc, doing business as Facey Enterprises, Inc - Registered owner: Facey Enterprises, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KLMO, Longmont, CO - Destination: KEIK, Erie, CO - Airport: KEIK, Erie Municipal, runway 33 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 33; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 107 total, 49 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 4 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 140 °F ## 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 20080428842679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080428842679A), Apr 28, 2008: Mooney M20E, Erie, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) On 28 April 2008 at approximately 13:30, N79833, a Mooney M20E was involved in an accident while attempting a soft field takeoff at Erie Municipal… ## Other investigations on N79833 (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA83FA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA179), Aug 16, 1983: Mooney M20E (N79833), Nampa, ID, substantial damage 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.