# NTSB DEN99LA035: Mooney M20E, N5658Q, Albuquerque, NM, January 31, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 31, 1999, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.110893, -106.619155 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1109&lon=-106.6192&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 September 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45676 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45676/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA035 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff. ## 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) - terrain condition - ravine - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot landed on runway 35, and the wind was west-northwest, 3 to 5 knots. He departed on the same runway approximately 15 minutes later. At approximately 20 feet above ground level, the flight controls became mushy, and the airplane went into an uncommanded roll to the left. After the pilot exited the airplane, he noted that there was a gully perpendicular to the runway's left side right at the location where he lost control. He further noted that the wind was now 200 to 220 degrees, 8 to 12 knots. ## Factual narrative On January 31, 1999, approximately 1130 mountain standard time, a Mooney M20E, N5658Q, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during takeoff from Coronado Airport near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The instrument rated private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was being operated by the pilot/owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight which was originating at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he landed at the airport, on runway 35, approximately 15 minutes before the accident to drop off a passenger. He said that the wind sock indicated that the wind was west-northwest, at 3 to 6 knots. According to the FAA inspector who interviewed the pilot, the flight was departing on runway 35 (4010 ft. X 60 ft., elevation 5280 feet) when the pilot operated flight controls became "mushy" and the airplane drifted to the left of runway centerline. The pilot reported that he was performing a short field takeoff when, at 20 feet above ground level (agl), the airplane went into an uncommanded roll to the left. He said that the left wing hit the ground and the airplane came to rest beside the runway. The inspector located the airplane approximately 1/3 of the way down the runway and approximately 50 feet left of the runway edge. The left wing was bent upwards approximately 45 degrees at the mid span of the left wing. The FAA inspector reported that he examined all flight controls and found them to have continuity with the airplane's controls. The pilot stated that after he got out of the airplane, he noted that there was a gully which was perpendicular to the left side of the runway at the location where he lost control. He also noted that the wind had shifted to 200 to 220 degrees, at 8 to 12 knots (see attached diagram). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5658Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5658Q-2001-08-21), registration cancelled 2001-08-21, S/N 685 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20E - Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 685 - Airframe hours: 2738 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald G. Hooper - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 1998, 104 hours before - Departed: 4AC - Airport: 4AC, Coronado Airport, runway 35, 4,010 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 417 total, 160 in this make and model, 380 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABQ, 9 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 19990131000949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990131000949A), Jan 31, 1999: Mooney M20E, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. (Tty)acft over rotated on take-off, the right wing dipped, and the acft crashed. Other circumstances are unknown. (.19) on January 31, 1999, approximately 1130… 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.