# NTSB LAX95LA251: Mooney M-20-M, N200CT, Santa Monica, CA, July 13, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 1995, 07:27 local (14:27 UTC) - Place: Santa Monica, CA - Coordinates: 34.009963, -118.459487 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0100&lon=-118.4595&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29149 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29149/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA251 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper remedial action during an aborted takeoff due to an improperly installed pitot line to the airspeed indicator. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Main gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - disconnected (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - intentional, pilot in command - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) ## Analysis DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE PILOT REALIZED THAT HE HAD NO AIRSPEED INDICATION AND CHOSE TO ABORT. THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY COLLAPSING A MAIN LANDING GEAR RESULTING IN A FIRE AT THE MID-WING FUEL VENT AREA. THE PILOT HAD CONTRACTED FOR INSTRUMENT REPAIRS IN ANOTHER AREA OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL JUST PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE PITOT LINE TO THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY PULLED OUT OF THE INSTRUMENT WHILE OTHER WORK WAS BEING PREFORMED NEAR IT. ## Factual narrative QcOn July 13, 1995, at 0727 hours Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M-20-M, N200CT, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff at Santa Monica, California. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the departure, and an instrument flight plan was filed. The flight was originating as a personal cross-country flight destined for Abilene, Texas. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll on runway 21, he realized that he had no airspeed indication. He chose to abort the takeoff at that point. At the west end of the runway, skid marks indicated that the airplane went sideways and the left landing gear collapsed. The left wing settled to the ground and fuel ignited from the wing fuel vent area. The brief fire burnt into the wing structure. The wing was also damaged from ground contact. The pilot had contracted for repairs to the vacuum/instrument system while at Santa Monica. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, examination of the airspeed plumbing revealed that the plastic pitot tube was not connected at the airspeed indicator. Further examination of the tube failed to reveal a crush imprint from the "B" nut cone. The cone was found on the cockpit floor. An airspeed repair date of January 23, 1995, was affixed to the airspeed instrument case. The pilot stated that the M20 brakes are not adequate to stop a TLS model, near gross weight, down hill with a slight tailwind. He stated that the brakes should have been enlarged with the gross weight increase. He further stated that he now has the double puck brakes and that they are much more effective. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N200CT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N200CT), registered now, S/N 27-0016, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20-M - 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: 27-0016 - Airframe hours: 723 - Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-AF1A 270 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles I. Tabor - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 1995, 24 hours before - Departed: SMO, CA - Destination: ABILENE, TX - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: SMO, Santa Monica Municipal, runway 21, 4,987 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,642 total, 705 in this make and model, 7,358 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 5 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SMO ## 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 19950713018289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950713018289A), Jul 13, 1995: Mooney M20M, Santa Monica, CA, Substantial damage. No airspeed on takeoff. Aborted. Skidded sideways stopping. Gear folded. Pitot tube not secured. Disconnected. 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.