# NTSB NYC91LA147: Mooney M20J, N201YS, Rhinebeck, NY, June 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1991, 16:14 local (20:14 UTC)
- Place: Rhinebeck, NY
- Coordinates: 41.919536, -73.899978 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9195&lon=-73.9000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36935
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36935/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA147

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ATTAIN FLYING SPEED, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE PILOT, AND THE PILOT'S DECISION TO MAKE THE TAKEOFF UNDER THE EXISTING CONDITIONS.

## 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 - grass (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotation - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

THE PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF ON A GRASS RUNWAY WITH CALM WINDS. HE SAID HE BECAME AIRBORNE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1600 FEET, RETRACTED THE LANDING GEAR AND REMAINED LEVEL TO ACCELERATE. HE SAID HE STARTED A CLIMB AND IT MAY HAVE BEEN TOO STEEP BECAUSE THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND FELL OFF ON THE RIGHT WING. THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED INTO TREES. THE TEMPERATURE WAS REPORTED TO BE 75 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE PILOT REPORTED THE AIRPLANE WAS NEAR ITS MAXIMUM GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT AND THE GRASS ON THE RUNWAY WAS A LITTLE HIGH. THERE WERE TREES AT BOTH ENDS OF THE 2200 FOOT LONG RUNWAY AND THE SURFACE WAS UNDULATING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N201YS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N201YS-1991-09-13), registration cancelled 1991-09-13, S/N 240524 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0524
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bernard J. Walsh
- Registered owner: Bernard J. Walsh
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Destination: AGC, PITTSBURGH, PA
- Airport: N56, Old Rhinebeck, runway 36, 2,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,900 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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).

- [Accident 19910602018549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910602018549A), Jun 2, 1991: Mooney M20J, Rhinebeck, NY, Substantial damage. Aircraft lifted off at a low airspeed. Right wing hit ground. Hit trees on north end of field. (.4)the pilot initiated a takeoff on a grass runway with calm…

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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