# NTSB LAX00LA214: Mooney M20F, N9207V, Upland, CA, June 3, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 2000, 07:19 local (14:19 UTC)
- Place: Upland, CA
- Coordinates: 34.100757, -117.660682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1008&lon=-117.6607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49342
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49342/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA214

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain directional control of the aircraft on takeoff after the cabin door became ajar.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - door,passenger - open
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ravine

## Analysis

The airplane veered off the runway and came to rest in a ditch during takeoff.  The pilot reported that the cabin door came open during takeoff.  He intended to continue the takeoff and return to land and close the door; however, the passenger in the right front seat distracted him.  In the time necessary to calm and reassure the passenger, the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft and it drifted off the runway to the left.  The nearest aviation surface weather observation, at an airport 6 miles away, was reporting calm wind conditions.

## Factual narrative

On June 3, 2000, at 0719 hours Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20F, N9207V, was substantially damaged when it veered off the runway and came to rest in a ditch during takeoff at Cable Airport, Upland, California.  The personal flight, operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91, was destined for Jean, Nevada.  The certificated private pilot and two passengers were not injured.  One other passengers received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that the cabin door came open during takeoff on runway 24 (3,865 feet long x 75 feet wide).  He intended to continue the takeoff and return to land and close the door; however, the passenger in the right front seat distracted him.  In the time necessary to calm and reassure the passenger, the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft and it drifted off the runway to the left.

The aviation surface weather observation at the Ontario, California, airport (6 miles southeast of Cable) was reporting calm wind conditions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9207V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9207V-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N 690055, 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: 690055
- Airframe hours: 2089
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bruce A. Cunningham
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 9, 2000, 9 hours before
- Departed: CCB
- Destination: OL7, JEAN, NV
- Airport: CCB, Cable, runway 24, 3,865 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 50 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 142 °F, dew point 126 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 6 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 20000603006899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000603006899A), Jun 3, 2000: Mooney M20F, Upland, CA, No damage. (-23) On 6/3/00 about 0719 PDT, amooney M20FN9207V, during takeoff from Cable Airport, Upland, CA., veered to the left off the runway and came to rest in a…

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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