# NTSB ERA15LA190: Mooney M20C, N9680M, Winchester, TN, April 18, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 18, 2015, 14:52 local (19:52 UTC) - Place: Winchester, TN - Coordinates: 35.167499, -86.065834 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1675&lon=-86.0658&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Prior to flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/100) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Prior to flight: Aircraft loading event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 3 minor - Status: Completed, report July 16, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91052 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15LA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91052/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91052 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA190 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate weight and balance and performance planning, including his decision to take off with more passengers than permitted, and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: weight/balance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft loading event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot attempted to take off in a four-seat airplane with five adults onboard. A witness reported that the airplane lifted off about halfway down the 5,002-ft-long runway and momentarily climbed, then "suddenly dropped" and impacted terrain at the end of the runway. Review of weight and balance information indicated that the airplane was loaded at least 290 lbs above its maximum gross weight of 2,575 lbs. Had the airplane been loaded within limits, it could have taken off and cleared a 50-ft obstacle within a distance about 1,700 ft. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. It is likely that the airplane's performance was significantly reduced given its gross weight, and that the pilot exceeded the critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Factual narrative On April 18, 2015, about 1452 central daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N9680M, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from runway 18 at the Winchester Municipal Airport (BFG), Winchester, Tennessee. The private pilot and two passengers received minor injuries, two passengers received serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was privately owned and operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.The pilot reported that after takeoff, the airplane's engine "lost power" and "put it down in a field across from the end of the runway" to avoid power lines. The pilot also stated that there were five people onboard the airplane. The airplane had four seats, and a baggage area located behind the rear seats. A witness, who worked at the airport, stated that she watched the airplane lift off about halfway down the 5,002-ft-long runway and it did not seem it did not seem to have the proper lift. The airplane seemed to gain altitude then sink as it made a slight left turn at the end of the runway. They airplane then suddenly dropped out of sight. Examination of the wreckage at the scene by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane impacted a grass field about a 1/4mile south of the runway and came to rest on the edge of a roadway. Both propeller blades exhibited leading edge gouging and chordwise scratches. One blade exhibited aft "s" bending; the other was bent forward about mid span. Recovery personnel drained about 30 gallons of fuel from the airplane at the scene. A postaccident examination of the engine was conducted by an FAA inspector at a secure facility. Engine crankshaft continuity was confirmed on all cylinders, valves, and accessory gears. Continuity of the valvetrain was verified through a thumb compression test. The spark plugs were removed and inspected; each displayed a light gray color. The carburetor bowl was examined and was found to be free of debris. The bowl contained fuel and about 1/2 teaspoon of water. The 1435 recorded weather observation at BGF included wind 170 at 5 knots, visibility 10 miles with few clouds at 8000 feet, temperature 79 degrees F, dew point 57 degrees F; barometric altimeter 29.93 inches of mercury. Review of records revealed that the airplane's basic empty weight was 1,620.8 lbs., with a maximum gross takeoff weight of 2,575 lbs., resulting in a useful load of 954.2 lbs. According to drivers' license records, the five occupants weighed a total of 1,065 lbs., which added to the weight of the fuel (180 lbs.) resulted in a gross weight that was 290.8 lbs. above the airplane's maximum gross weight, not accounting for any baggage. Review of a takeoff performance chart for the airplane revealed that for the given altitude andtemperature, the airplane required about 1,700 feet to takeoff and clear a 50-ft obstacle; however, that data assumed the airplane weighed 2,575 lbs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9680M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9680M-2019-05-04), registration cancelled 2019-05-04, S/N 670016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C - Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (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: 670016 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 3031 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 2015, 9 hours before - Departed: BGF, Winchester, TN - Destination: BGF, Winchester, TN - Airport: BGF, Winchester Muni, runway 18, 5,002 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 25, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 63 total, 999,999 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KBGF, 1 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 20150418006289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150418006289A), Apr 18, 2015: Mooney M20C, Winchester, TN, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed Winchester Municipal Airport (bgf) runway 18. Aircraft would not gain altitude. The pilot attempted to land and impacted the ground, damaging… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 26, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91052. 972 KB in all. - Photo Array (Courtesy of FAA) (item 1, .PDF, 4 photos, 972 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462640&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array%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. --- 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.