# NTSB SEA87LA128: Mooney M20F, N6901V, Grants Pass, OR, April 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1987, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Grants Pass, OR
- Coordinates: 42.530052, -123.339973 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5301&lon=-123.3400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40650
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40650/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA128

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings - not removed (cause)
  - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - inoperative
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - checklist - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT REALIZED THAT HE HAD NO AIRSPEED INDICATION DUE TO HIS FORGETTING TO REMOVE THE PITOT COVER DURING PREFLIGHT. THE PILOT RETURNED TO LAND AT THE AIRPORT AND LANDED GEAR UP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6901V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6901V-1989-05-02), registration cancelled 1989-05-02, S/N 221287 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 221287
- Airframe hours: 1068
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roy C. Thompson
- Registered owner: Roy C Thompson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 23, 1986, 38 hours before
- Departed: 3S8, GRANTS PASS, OR
- Destination: MFR, MEDFORD, OR
- Airport: 3S8, Josephine County, runway 30, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 343 total, 85 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19870403035149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870403035149A), Apr 3, 1987: Mooney M20F, Grants Pass, OR, Substantial damage. Pilot took off with pitot tube cover on with no airspeed indication. Returned to land and forgot to extend the gear

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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