# NTSB LAX79DUK05: Mooney M20K, N231CT, Flagstaff, AZ, July 30, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 30, 1979
- Place: Flagstaff, AZ · FLAGSTAFF, AZ
- Location: 35.1981° N, 111.6513° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Flagstaff, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1981&lon=-111.6513&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134666
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79DUK05
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79DUK05

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2061  79/7/30  NR.FLAGSTAFF,AZ       MOONEY M20K         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 45, 2070
        TIME - 1630                    N231CT              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 50 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         FLAGSTAFF,AZ                 PRESCOTT AZ
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      80
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- CRASHED DRG TKOF FROM MEADOW AFTER EMERG LNDG & REPAIR.DENSITY ALT APPROX 10700 FT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N231CT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N231CT), registered now, S/N 25-0021, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20K
- Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19790730026219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790730026219A), Jul 30, 1979: Mooney M20K, Flagstaff, AZ, Substantial damage. Attempted takeoff from pasture. Acft failed to climb. Dragged wing. Density altitude and rough ground were factors.

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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