# NTSB GAA19CA546: Mooney M20M, N1085W, Chandler, AZ, September 14, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 14, 2019, 08:05 local (15:05 UTC) - Place: Chandler, AZ - Coordinates: 33.269721, -111.814163 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2697&lon=-111.8142&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100260 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA546 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100260/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100260 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA546 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper pitch control during takeoff and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to take remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/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 M20M, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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 M20M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during a familiarization flight with a flight instructor in a recently purchased airplane and while demonstrating a soft-field takeoff, the tower controller cleared him for takeoff "with no delay." He quickly taxied the airplane to the runway centerline, applied power, and pulled back on the yoke. He added that, in retrospect, the back pressure he used was too abrupt. The airplane entered ground effect about 10 knots slower than normal and was unable to maintain flight in ground effect, and he was struggling to maintain the runway heading. The airplane then touched down "abruptly several times." The airplane drifted left, and the pilot thought there was a positive climb rate, so he retracted the landing gear. Additionally, he was "too aggressive" with control inputs and "caused a stall." The left wing struck the taxiway, and the airplane came to rest on the ramp. The pilot reported that the instructor did not take the flight controls. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during a familiarization flight with a flight instructor in a recently purchased, retractable landing gear-equipped airplane, while demonstrating a soft field takeoff, the tower controller cleared him for takeoff "with no delay." He quickly taxied the airplane to the runway centerline, applied power, and pulled back on the yoke. He added that, in retrospect, the back pressure used was too abrupt. The airplane entered ground effect about 10 knots slower than normal and was unable to maintain flight in ground effect and he was struggling to maintain runway heading. The airplane touched down "abruptly several times." The airplane drifted to the left and he thought he had a positive rate of climb, so he retracted the landing gear. Additionally, he was "too aggressive" with control inputs and "caused a stall." The left wing struck the taxiway and the airplane came to rest on the ramp. The pilot reported that the instructor did not take the flight controls. The flight instructor did not provide a statement to the NTSB. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 090° at 13 knots. The pilot was departing on runway 04L. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1085W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1085W), registered now, S/N 27-0043, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20M (No Series) - Registry model: [Mooney M20M](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20m) (registry code 5870222) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 27-0043 - Year built: 1990 - Airframe hours: 2724.9 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AF1B 270 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 2018 - Departed: CHD, Chandler, AZ - Destination: CHD, Chandler, AZ - Airport: CHD, Chandler Muni, runway 04L, 4,401 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review January 19, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,041.3 total, 46.7 in this make and model, 926.7 as pilot in command, 31.2 in the last 90 days, 13.3 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 72; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KCHD ## 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 20190914023079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190914023079A), Sep 14, 2019: Mooney M20M, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. On September 14, 2019 at approximately 8:05 am at Chandler airport (chd) in Chandler, AZ the pilot [privacy data omitted] was receiving instruction… ## Other investigations on N1085W (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 IAD96LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96LA110), Jul 10, 1996: Mooney M20M (N1085W), Hartford, CT, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate control of the airplane during the approach to landing/landing roll. A related factor is the pilot's inadequate remedial action (attempted go-around). ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100260. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478968&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478969&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478970&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.