# NTSB DEN83LA225: Mooney M20F, N3280F, La Junta, CO, September 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1983, 13:24 local (19:24 UTC)
- Place: La Junta, CO
- Coordinates: 37.979816, -103.53968 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9798&lon=-103.5397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16164
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16164/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA225

## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aileron - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ACFT STALLED INTO THE GROUND DURING A TAKEOFF IN WINDY CONDITIONS. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE FROM 210 DEGREES AT 22 KTS GUSTING TO 28 KTS. THE PLT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FROM THE FSS AND KNEW A STRONG CROSSWIND FROM THE LEFT WAS PRESENT. HE USED RUDDER BUT NO AILERON DURING TAKEOFF. HE SAID THE ACFT LIFTED OFF AT 70 MPH AND AT 10 FT IN THE AIR'A GUST OR SHEAR' HIT THE ACFT. THE PLANE TURNED 90 DEGREES TO THE LEFT, LOST AIRSPEED AND SETTLED TO THE GROUND. THE LEFT WING MADE GROUND CONTACT FIRST. THE ACFT SLID ACROSS A DITCH AND CAME TO REST 60 FT FROM THE SOUTH EDGE OF THE RWY.THE FAA FLT TRAINING HANDBOOK STATES THAT FULL AILERON SHOULD BE HELD INTO THE WIND AS TAKEOFF STARTS. THIS POSITION IS HELD UNTIL SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED IS OBTAINED AND THEN USED AS REQUIRED TO KEEP WINGS LEVEL. TAKEOFF POWER CREATED TORQUE OR P-FACTOR WHICH YAWS THE ACFT TO THE LEFT AND A WIND FROM THE LEFT MAY AGGREVATE THE LEFT TURNING TENDENCY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3280F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3280F), registered now, S/N 670373, built 1967 (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: 670373
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Orville G. Anderson Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1983, 45 hours before
- Destination: DEN, DENVER, CO
- Airport: LHX, La Junta Municipal, runway 26, 6,844 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 79 total, 15 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 210° at 22 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LHX

## 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 19830930052699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830930052699A), Sep 30, 1983: Mooney M20F, La Junta, CO, Substantial damage. Lost control after liftoff in severe gusty wind. Dragged a wing and hit a ditch. Exceeded skill, crosswind ability.

## Other investigations on N3280F (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 DEN86LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA097), Mar 10, 1986: Mooney M20F (N3280F), Longmont, CO, 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.

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