# NTSB FTW87LA128: Mooney M20J, N4787H, Marietta, OK, May 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1987, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Marietta, OK
- Coordinates: 33.929191, -97.119865 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9292&lon=-97.1199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22373
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22373/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA128

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - instructions,written/verbal - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - climb - not attained, dual student (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF FROM THE 2450 FT RWY AT THE MCGEEHE CATFISH AIRPORT NEAR MARIETTA, OK. THE RWY WAS SOFT WITH A SHARP RISE IN THE DIRECTION OF TAKEOFF. THE PLT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AFTER LIFTOFF AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST RESULTING IN THE ACFT IMPACTING THE TERRAIN. THE CFI HAD 5 HOURS OF TOTAL PIC TIME IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL ACFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4787H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4787H-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 24-0877, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 240877
- Airframe hours: 1855
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Wosco Aviation
- Registered owner: Wright Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 1986, 65 hours before
- Destination: F54, ARLINGTON, TX
- Airport: T40, Mcgeehe Catfish, runway 17, 2,450 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 535 total, 5 in this make and model, 283 as pilot in command, 161 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAV, 66 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 19870525015669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870525015669A), May 25, 1987: Mooney M20J, Marietta, OK, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck an embankment during takeoff. The instructor failed to correct an early liftoff.

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.