# NTSB FTW95LA092: Mooney M20F, N4024N, Miami, OK, January 14, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 14, 1995, 12:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Miami, OK - Coordinates: 36.879585, -94.870529 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8796&lon=-94.8705&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19338 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19338/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA092 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING TAKEOFF DUE TO HIS ATTENTION BEING DIVERTED. FACTORS WERE THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE BLOCKING THE GEAR UP LATCHING MECHANISM, AND HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE. ## 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 - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause) - control interference - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb ## Analysis THE PILOT'S ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED TO A PROBLEM WITH RAISING THE GEAR LEVER. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT BUCKLE WAS BLOCKING THE GEAR LEVER PREVENTING THE GEAR FROM LOCKING UP. WHILE THE PILOT WAS TRYING TO MOVE THE SEATBELT BUCKLE, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT HAD JUST PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE AND REPORTED 1 HOUR IN MAKE/MODEL. ## Factual narrative On January 14, 1995, at 1220 central standard time, a Mooney M20F, N4024N, was substantially damaged during takeoff near Miami, Oklahoma. The private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross county flight. The pilot/operator report stated the following information. The pilot had just purchased the airplane and was going to fly it back to California. "While taking off - passenger side seatbelt buckle was jammed under gear lever which prevented gear from locking up - while trying to clear buckle from gear lever aircraft struck the ground." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4024N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4024N-1995-11-21), registration cancelled 1995-11-21, S/N 680160 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F - Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 680-160 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Simmons, Samuel P. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MIO - Destination: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Airport: MIO, Miami Muni, runway 17, 5,613 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 1 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 35° at 10 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: JLN, 20 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 19950114000459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950114000459A), Jan 14, 1995: Mooney M20F, Miami, OK, Substantial damage. Newly purchased departing to ferry home. Pass side seat belt prevented gear bar lock. Trying to clear lost control. ## Other investigations on N4024N (2) 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. - [NTSB MIA76DKT45](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76DKT45), Jan 10, 1976: Mooney M20F (N4024N), Naples, FL, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC71DCQ40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71DCQ40), May 17, 1971: Mooney M20F (N4024N), Montezuma, KS, substantial damage 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.