# NTSB LAX94LA275: Mooney M20C, N6959U, Las Vegas, NV, July 5, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 5, 1994, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Las Vegas, NV - Location: 36.1750° N, 115.1372° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Las Vegas, NV, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1750&lon=-115.1372&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28790 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA275 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28790/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA275 ## Probable cause THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN THE PROPER TAKEOFF SPEED. FACTORS ARE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE CROSSWIND. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed(vlof) - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF FROM A 2100 FOOT GRAVEL RUNWAY WITH A DENSITY ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 4200 FEET AND A CROSS WIND FROM THE LEFT AT 12 KNOTS. THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT GET AIRBORNE AND COLLIDED WITH A DIRT EMBANKMENT PAST THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT WHICH HAD JUST COME OUT OF AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. ## Factual narrative On July 5, 1994, at 0900 hours Pacific daylight time , a Mooney M20C, N6959U, collided with terrain during a takeoff attempt at Voc Tech Airport at Las Vegas, Nevada. The aircraft was operated by the pilot/owner, and was involved in a personal flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the airplane was signed off for its annual inspection on the day of the accident. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft hop along the runway but did not get airborne. The aircraft departed the end of a 2100 foot long gravel runway, which is oriented east to west. The reported weather conditions were clear with a temperature of 87 degrees fahrenheit, and winds from 170 degrees at 12 knots. The air traffic controller advised the pilot that the departure would be at his own risk, and the east boundary winds at McCarran were calm. The pilot reported no mechanical problems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6959U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6959U-2003-04-07), registration cancelled 2003-04-07, S/N 2710, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C - 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: 2710 - Airframe hours: 3300 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cassel, John F. - Registered owner: Cassel, John F. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 5, 1994, 1 hours before - Airport: NV26, Voc Tech ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12,015 total, 240 in this make and model, 4,207 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 12 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LAS, 4 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 19940705017299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940705017299A), Jul 5, 1994: Mooney M20C, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. Just out of annual. Seen to porpoise on takeoff but never lifted. Ran off end runway. Tower advised your risk. ## Other investigations on N6959U (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 UNK64X2338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2338), Jun 17, 1964: Mooney MK21 (N6959U), Boss, MO, substantial damage 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.