# NTSB FTW85LA051: Mooney 231, N231JN, Abilene, TX, November 14, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1984, 08:21 local (14:21 UTC)
- Place: Abilene, TX
- Location: 32.4487° N, 99.7331° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Abilene, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4487&lon=-99.7331&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21627/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA051

## 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
  - door - open (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - runway

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AT ABOUT 15 FT AGL, SIMULTANEOUS WITH GEAR RETRACTION, THE CABIN DOOR POPPED OPEN AND THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE 'TUCKED.' THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CONTROL THE NOSE ATTITUDE BUT AS THE PROPELLER BEGAN STRIKING THE RUNWAY SURFACE, POWER WAS REDUCED AND THE ACFT SETTLED BACK ONTO THE RUNWAY WITH THE GEAR RETRACTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N231JN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N231JN), registered now, S/N 25-0276 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY 231
- Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-0276
- Airframe hours: 6240
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-6B1 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronnie O. Craft
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: OKC, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Abilene Municipal, runway 17L, 7,200 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,006 total, 54 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 17 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19841114076789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841114076789A), Nov 14, 1984: Mooney M20K, Abilene, TX, Substantial damage. Door popped open after liftoff. During distraction propeller tips struck runway. Power reduced, landed gear up.

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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