# NTSB FTW00LA191: Mooney M20K, N231RR, Godley, TX, July 1, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 2000, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Godley, TX - Coordinates: 32.440082, -97.519691 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4401&lon=-97.5197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49579 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA191 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49579/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA191 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his delay in aborting the takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - tree(s) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot, who is also an aircraft mechanic, had just completed a 100-hour inspection on his airplane, and he inadvertently left the magneto P-leads disconnected. While in cruise flight, the engine lost power, and the pilot made a successful emergency landing in a field. The pilot stated that he reconnected the P-leads, checked the magnetos, and attempted a takeoff from the field. He stated that the acceleration was 'normal;' however, when the airplane lifted off of the ground it 'skipped and settled two or three times.' The pilot aborted the takeoff 'too late to keep from plowing through some small trees.' The pilot stated that he misjudged the distance required to takeoff from the soft field. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 2000, at 1630 central daylight time, a Mooney M20K airplane, N231RR, was substantially damaged when it impacted a fence and trees during takeoff from a field near Godley, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the registered owner of the airplane and the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from Cleburne, Texas, at 1600, and was destined for Fort Worth, Texas. According to a written statement provided by the pilot, who is also an aircraft mechanic, he had just completed a 100-hour inspection on his airplane and "inadvertently left the magneto 'P' leads disconnected after the mag[neto] check." The pilot stated that he experienced a loss of engine power while en route to Fort Worth and performed a successful emergency landing in a field. The pilot stated that he "reconnected the 'P' leads, checked the mag[netos] and attempted a takeoff-estimating that I had plenty of takeoff distance." He reported that the wind was calm and the fuel tanks were almost full. He added that the ground was slightly soft. The pilot stated that the acceleration was "normal;" however, when the airplane lifted off of the ground it "skipped and settled two or three times." The pilot aborted the takeoff "too late to keep from plowing through some small trees." The pilot reported that he "misjudged the distance required on the (slightly) soft field." The FAA inspector stated that the left wing was separated from the airplane and the right wing was structurally damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N231RR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N231RR-2000-08-16), registration cancelled 2000-08-16, S/N 25-0072 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20K - Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 250072 - Engines: Continental TSIO-360-GB 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Larry N. Lydick - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 2000, 1 hours before - Departed: F18, CLEBURNE, TX - Destination: T67, FORT WORTH, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,091 total, 111 in this make and model, 2,838 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FTW, 23 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 20000701006429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000701006429A), Jul 1, 2000: Mooney M20K, Godley, TX, No damage. (-23) On 7/01/2000, at 1720 local time, a Mooney M-20-C, registration number N231RR, owned or registered to larry niles lydick of[privacy data omitted] ,… 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.