# NTSB DEN83LA173: Mooney M20J, N43CA, Aurora, CO, July 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1983, 08:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Aurora, CO
- Coordinates: 39.739429, -104.859207 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7394&lon=-104.8592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16123
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16123/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA173

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ARPT HAD ONE ASPHALT RWY THAT WAS CLOSED & ANOTHER DIRT RWY THAT WAS MUDDY. THEREFORE, THE PLT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF ON THE PARKING RAMP WHICH WAS ORIENTED IN A NORTH/SOUTH DIRECTION & WAS 1700 FT LONG. THE PLT DID NOT CONSULT THE TAKEOFF CHARTS IN HIS OPERATING HANDBOOK. HE CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS SUFFICIENT ROOM TO TAKEOFF SINCE THE ACFT NORMALLY USED ONLY 1500 FT AT HIS HOME ARPT IN OBERLIN, KS. HOWEVER, FOR TAKEOFF AT AURORA, CO, THE DENSITY ALT WAS APRX 7300 FT. ALSO, THE PLT USED SOFT FIELD PROCEDURES FOR TAKEOFF. SPECIFICALLY, BACK PRESSURE WAS USEDON THE CONTROL WHEEL FOR ALL OF THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE NOSEWHEEL WAS LIFTED OFF EARLY & THE PLT TOOK OFF AT 60 KTS, THEN LOWERED THE NOSE TO STAY IN GROUND EFFECT. BEYOND THE END OF THE RAMP, THE ACFT HIT UNEVEN, RISING TERRAIN IN A WHEAT FIELD. FOR A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF ON HARD SURFACE, NOSE-UP ELEVATOR INPUT IN NOT NORMALLY USED UNTIL ROTATION SPEED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43CA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N43CA), registered now, S/N 24-0270, built 1977 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0270
- Airframe hours: 1579
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Christ For All
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 1981, 199 hours before
- Destination: K80, OBERLIN, KS
- Airport: O1V, Columbine

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,020 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 1,920 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEN, 10 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 19830723034579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830723034579A), Jul 23, 1983: Mooney M20J, Aurora, CO, Substantial damage. Runway closed. Used muddy taxiway. Aircraft settled after lift off due to mud on aircraft and density altitude.

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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