# NTSB LAX81DXQ31: Mooney M20J, N201SY, Reno, NV, August 2, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: August 2, 1981
- Place: Reno, NV · RENO, NV
- Location: 39.5296° N, 119.8138° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Reno, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5296&lon=-119.8138&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123889
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81DXQ31
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DXQ31

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2439   81/8/2    RENO,NV             MOONEY M20J         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 48, 2000
        TIME - 1630                    N201SY              PX-  0  1  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 200 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CANNON INTL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          RENO,NV                     HAYWARD,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        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                                                      90
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          270                                                       20
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      VFR
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- GUSTS TO 25KTS.DA APPROX 7400FT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N201SY (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Cannon Intl

## 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 19810802048939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810802048939A), Aug 2, 1981: Mooney M20J, Reno, NV, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff. Pilot said aircraft kept sinking and there was no engine malfunction.

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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