# NTSB FTW95LA195: Mooney M20F, N9399V, Frederick, CO, May 14, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 14, 1995, 13:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Frederick, CO - Coordinates: 40.100982, -104.940116 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1010&lon=-104.9401&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19413 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19413/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA195 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S USE OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF AND HIS DELAY IN INITIATING AN ABORT. FACTORS WERE A SOFT AND WET AIR STRIP. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - roll/run - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED HE WAS DOING AN ACCELERATION TEST PRIOR TO DEPARTING AND WHEN HE TRIED TO STOP, THE AIRCRAFT SLID OFF THE END OF 2,800 FOOT LONG DIRT STRIP, THROUGH A FENCE AND DITCH, AND ONTO A ROAD BORDERING THE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE APPLED BRAKES AT 70 KNOTS. NORMAL ROTATION SPEED IN 60 KNOTS. HEAVY WHEEL MARKS WERE FOUND 700 FEET PRIOR TO THE FENCE AND DITCH. ## Factual narrative On May 14, 1995, at 1340 mountain daylight time, a Mooney M20F, N9399V, sustained substantial damage during an acceleration test prior to takeoff at a private airstrip near Frederick, Colorado. The pilot and one passenger were not injured and one passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for what was planned as a local area personal flight and no flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, he was doing an acceleration test prior to departing, and when he got to about 70 knots he pulled the throttle and applied brakes. He said the aircraft slid on the grass and collapsed the landing gear going through a fence and ditch. According to the aircraft operating manual, normal rotation speed is 60 knots indicated airspeed. Examination of the accident site, a 2,800 foot dirt airstrip, by this investigator revealed witness marks which showed heavy wheel marks on soft dirt and grass for a distance estimated to be 700 feet prior to impact with a fence and ditch. The witness marks indicated the landing gear collapsed after the aircraft went through the perimeter fence and entered a road side ditch. The aircraft came to rest on a county road which borders the south side of the airstrip. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9399V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9399V-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 700021, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F - Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 700021 - Airframe hours: 4967 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John R. Taylor - Registered owner: Douglas K. Smart - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 15, 1995, 36 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: Fredrick (Private), runway 18, 2,800 × 50 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,975 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FNL, 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 19950514011769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950514011769A), May 14, 1995: Mooney M20F, Frederick, CO, Substantial damage. During acceleration test. Overran runway thru a fence and ditch. Aborted run too late. Not purpose of flight. 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.