# NTSB NYC84FGT01: Mooney M20C, N5818Q, Slate Run, PA, May 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1984, 19:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Slate Run, PA
- Location: 41.4728° N, 77.5016° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Slate Run, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4728&lon=-77.5016&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35390
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FGT01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35390/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FGT01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM THE BLACK FORESTAIRPORT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT TRAVELED APPROX 2/3RDS OF THE RWY DISTANCE, BECAME AIRBORNE, SETTLED BACK ON THE RWY & BECAME AIRBORNE AGAIN. AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF THE ACFT WAS LOADED NEAR ITS GROSS TAKEOFF WT, THE DENSITY ALT WAS CALCULATED AS 4000 FT & THE SOD RWY WAS WET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5818Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3118
- Airframe hours: 2331
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-AID 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward W. Gaul
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 1983, 2,294 hours before
- Departed: BLACK FOREST, PA
- Destination: TRENTON ROBBVIL, NJ
- Airport: Black Forest, runway 35, 2,100 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,600 total, 2,550 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPT, 33 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 19840522018119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840522018119A), May 22, 1984: Mooney M20C, Slate Run, PA, Destroyed. Airplane mushed and would not climb. Near gross at takeoff on wet sod runway. Density altitude also a factor.

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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