# NTSB GAA18CA004: Mooney M20, N7884V, Topping, VA, October 7, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 7, 2017, 08:51 local (12:51 UTC) - Place: Topping, VA - Coordinates: 37.588054, -76.474441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5881&lon=-76.4744&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96152 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96152/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96152 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA004 ## Probable cause The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in a departure stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he began the takeoff roll from a runway intersection and pitched the airplane's nose up for maximum climb to avoid trees; however, he stated, "I over-rotated and entered a power-on stall." He attempted to correct by lowering the nose, but the airplane rolled to the left and entered the trees before impacting a house. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he began the takeoff roll from a runway intersection and pitched the nose of the airplane up for maximum climb to avoid trees, however, "I over-rotated and entered a power-on stall." He attempted to correct by lowering the nose, but the airplane rolled to the left and entered the trees before impacting a house. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7884V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7884V-2020-06-17), registration cancelled 2020-06-17, S/N 2846, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20 (C) - Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2846 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 3950 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 2017 - Departed: W75, Topping, VA - Destination: GON, Groton, CT - Airport: W75, Hummel Field, runway 01, 2,167 × 45 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 17, 2017; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,819 total, 29 in this make and model, 1,431 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KFYJ, 14 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 20171007014399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171007014399A), Oct 7, 2017: Mooney M20C, Topping, VA, Destroyed. The pilot did an intersection takeoff not leaving enough runway length and cleared the trees, but stalled the aircraft crashing into an unoccupied home… ## Other investigations on N7884V (1) 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 FTW73DQG09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73DQG09), Jul 21, 1972: Mooney M20C (N7884V), Spearman, TX, no damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 30, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96152. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461478&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Airport Diagram and Departure Instructions (item 2, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461479&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Diagram%20and%20Departure%20Instructions-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461480&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF 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.