# NTSB FTW88LA124: Mooney M20J, N201ZP, Portland, TX, June 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1988, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Portland, TX
- Coordinates: 27.870117, -97.319541 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8701&lon=-97.3195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22655
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22655/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA124

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - wire,transmission
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - elevator trim - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT DRAGGED THE LOWER EMPENNAGE ON THE RUNWAY DURING THE TAKEOFF ROTATION. A PREMATURE LIFTOFF RESULTED AND THE AIRCRAFT RECONTACTED THE RUNWAY TWICE BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT PASSED THE RUNWAY END. THEREAFTER, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A POWERLINE BEFORE IMPACTING THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE FAILED TO PROPERLY POSITION THE ELEVATOR TRIM TAB BEFORE INITIATING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N201ZP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N201ZP-1989-10-12), registration cancelled 1989-10-12, S/N 240538 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0538
- Airframe hours: 1233
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Winkle, James W.
- Registered owner: James W Winkle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1987, 34 hours before
- Departed: 9R5
- Destination: BMT, BEAUMONT, TX
- Airport: 9R5, Hunt, runway 14L, 2,650 × 20 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 695 total, 492 in this make and model, 622 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRP, 7 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 19880624023859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880624023859A), Jun 24, 1988: Mooney M20J, Portland, TX, Substantial damage. Neglected to set trim for takeoff. Nose up trim caused nose high liftoff. Aborted, hit wires and landed wheels 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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