# NTSB NYC89LA168: Mooney M20C, N6872N, Stormville, NY, July 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1989, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Stormville, NY
- Coordinates: 41.539863, -73.729438 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5399&lon=-73.7294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36440
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36440/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA168

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.

## 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
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - other (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE ON BOARD THE MOONEY M20C WHEN THE TAKEOFF WAS INITIATED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT FLY, AND THEN HE HEARD A STALL WARNING HORN AND THE LEFT WING DROPPED. HE SAID HE PULLED OFF THE POWER AND SETTLED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY INTO A FIELD WITH STEEL DRUMS WHICH THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6872N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6872N), registered now, S/N 680149, built 1968 (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: 680149
- Airframe hours: 1640
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bobwall Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 1988, 35 hours before
- Airport: N69, Stormville, runway 6, 3,320 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 183 total, 91 in this make and model, 91 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19890708041459I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890708041459I), Jul 8, 1989: Mooney M20C, Stormville, NY, Minor damage. Did not accelerate on takeoff. Left wing dipped and aircraft veered left. Landed in field hitting drums.

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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