DFW07CA139

NTSB accident investigation · Mooney M-20E · Van, TX · June 19, 2007

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
June 19, 2007, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
Place
Van, TX
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N115RCMooney M-20E
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report November 29, 2007
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Dallas, Texas
FAA report
20070619014119A
Case key
66002

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff run.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - on ground/waterTakeoff - roll/run
Directional control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterTakeoff - roll/run
Terrain condition - ground

Analysis

The 1,010-hour commercial pilot lost control of the single-engine airplane while attempting to perform a short/soft field takeoff from a 2,000-foot grass airstrip that was oriented in a southwesterly direction. The pilot, who reported having accumulated a total of 184 hours in the same make and model, reported that right after liftoff from Runway 22, the airplane started to bank to the left. The pilot responded with a full right aileron application to slow the roll to no avail. An eye-witness at the airport reported observing the airplane "jump" off the ground after the nose of the airplane attained a pronounced nose-high attitude during rotation. The airplane struck the ground left wing first followed by the propeller and then the left side of the engine cowling. The pilot reported that he had gone to the airport to pick-up the airplane after airframe maintenance had been completed. The airplane had undergone repairs to the ailerons, flaps, rudder. flight instruments and avionics. The pilot that test flew the airplane prior to the release reported flying the airplane on 3 separate flights to make rigging adjustments. He added that all flight characteristics were normal. The FAA inspectors that responded to the accident site were able to establish flight control continuity. Additionally, they reported that based on the photos taken at the accident site, the elevator trim was in full-up position at the time of the accident. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses. The position of the wing flaps was not determined.

Factual narrative

The 1,010-hour commercial pilot lost control of the single-engine airplane while attempting to perform a short/soft field takeoff from a 2,000-foot grass airstrip that was oriented in a southwesterly direction. The pilot, who reported having accumulated a total of 184 hours in the same make and model, reported that right after liftoff from Runway 22, the airplane started to bank to the left. The pilot responded with a full right aileron application to slow the roll to no avail. An eye-witness at the airport reported observing the airplane "jump" off the ground after the nose of the airplane attained a pronounced nose-high attitude during rotation. The airplane struck the ground left wing first followed by the propeller and then the left side of the engine cowling. The pilot reported that he had gone to the airport to pick-up the airplane after airframe maintenance had been completed. The airplane had undergone repairs to the ailerons, flaps, rudder. flight instruments and avionics. The pilot that test flew the airplane prior to the release reported flying the airplane on 3 separate flights to make rigging adjustments. He added that all flight characteristics were normal. The FAA inspectors that responded to the accident site were able to establish flight control continuity. Additionally, they reported that based on the photos taken at the accident site, the elevator trim was in full-up position at the time of the accident. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses. The position of the wing flaps was not determined.

Aircraft

Registration
N115RC
Reported as
Mooney M-20E
Category
Airplane
Serial number
627
Engine
Lycoming IO 360, 200 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
C-NET Technologies
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · August 1, 2006
Departed
5XS5 · Van, TX
Destination
5XS5
Airport
5XS5 · Brady Field Airport, runway 22, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
23
Injuries
None
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Without waivers/limitations
Seat
Left
Flight hours
1,010 total · 184 in this make and model · 171 in the last 90 days · 67 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
140° at 6 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
90 °F, dew point 75 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.