# NTSB ERA11CA340: Mooney M-20G, N6936N, Monroeville, PA, June 12, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 12, 2011, 17:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Monroeville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.450279, -79.777496 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4503&lon=-79.7775&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA Allegheny FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 80735
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA340
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80735/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80735
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA340

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M-20G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=5870216), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M-20G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=5870216), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M-20G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5870216), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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 lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Mooney M-20G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=5870216), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M-20G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5870216), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M-20G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870216), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Mooney M-20G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=5870216), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot elected to conduct a soft field takeoff due to rough irregularities in the runway. After fully extending the flaps, the pilot initiated the takeoff run, and the airplane became airborne within 200 to 300 feet. The pilot had difficulty keeping the airplane's pitch attitude low, and upon reaching tree-height the airplane stalled. The airplane descended and rolled to the left. The pilot was unable to arrest the descent, and the airplane impacted the ground and was subsequently consumed by a postimpact fire.

## Factual narrative

The pilot elected to conduct a soft field takeoff due to rough irregularities in the runway. After fully extending the flaps the pilot initiated the takeoff run, and the airplane became airborne within 200 to 300 feet. The pilot had difficulty keeping the airplane's pitch attitude low, and upon reaching tree height the airplane stalled. The airplane then began to descend and rolled to the left. The pilot was unable to arrest the descent, the airplane impacted the ground, and was subsequently consumed by a post-impact fire.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6936N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6936N-2013-07-02), registration cancelled 2013-07-02, S/N 680149, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20G
- Registry model: [Mooney M-20G](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m-20g) (registry code 5870216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 680149
- Airframe hours: 7600
- Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 4G0, Monroeville, PA
- Destination: CRW, Charelston, WV
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 4G0, Pittsburgh-Monroeville Airport, runway 05, 2,280 × 28 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 2,800 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 5,800 total, 5,700 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: AGC, 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 20110612019329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110612019329A), Jun 12, 2011: Mooney M-20G, Monroeville, PA, Destroyed. The airplane departed RW/05, upon rotation at between 65-70 KIAS the airplane was hit with a strong gust of wind and suddenly got airborne to a height of 10-15…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80735. 1.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 443 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349790&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Inerview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350537&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Inerview%20Summary-Master.PDF
- Pilot Statment (item 3, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350539&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statment-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statment (item 4, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349794&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statment-Redacted.PDF
- Pittsburg Allegheney (AGC) Meteorological Conditions (item 5, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349795&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pittsburg%20Allegheney%20(AGC)%20Meteorological%20Conditions-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Overview of Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 725 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349801&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Overview%20of%20Wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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