# NTSB WPR11LA075: Mooney M20J, N4326H, Chino, CA, December 11, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 11, 2010, 12:41 local (20:41 UTC) - Place: Chino, CA - Coordinates: 33.973056, -117.630836 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9731&lon=-117.6308&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 26, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77982 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77982/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77982 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA075 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to properly position the flaps for the takeoff, failure to maintain airplane control during the procedure, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Flight control system: tE flap control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot and certified flight instructor (CFI) had just completed two simulated short-field takeoffs, and decided to perform a simulated soft-field takeoff. The student was at the controls during the takeoff roll and, as the airplane rotated, the nose lifted at an angle that the CFI determined was excessive. He verbally coached the student to lower the nose, but the nose did not lower. He again requested that the student lower the nose, but he did not respond. The airplane then began to drift to the left, so the CFI took the controls. The CFI attempted to regain control of the airplane; however, the wing dropped and the airplane landed hard. The airplane departed the runway and was consumed by a postimpact fire after coming to rest on a taxiway. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the flap actuator mechanism revealed that the flaps were fully extended at the time of the accident, rather than set to the mid-range takeoff position. The extended flap position likely resulted in the excessive nose-up tendencies experienced during the takeoff roll. ## Factual narrative On December 11, 2010, at 1241 Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20J, N4326H, collided with the runway surface during takeoff at Chino Airport, Chino, California. The student pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The student pilot sustained serious injuries, and the certified flight instructor (CFI) was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage secondary to impact forces and a post crash fire. The instructional flight departed John Wayne-Orange County Airport, Santa Ana, California, about 1200. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The CFI stated that they had just completed two simulated short-field takeoffs and decided to perform a simulated soft-field takeoff. The student pilot was at the controls during the takeoff roll, and as the airplane rotated, the nose lifted at an angle that the CFI determined was excessive. He verbally coached the student to lower the nose, but the nose did not lower. He again requested that the student lower the nose, but he did not respond. The airplane then began to drift to the left, so the CFI took the controls, and attempted to lower the nose. Before the angle of attack was corrected, the right wing dropped. The CFI responded with rudder input, which was followed by an opposite wing drop. The airplane then landed hard, and skidded off the runway on its belly; the CFI reported that fire simultaneously erupted as the airplane slid to a stop. The airplane came to rest on a taxiway, adjacent to the departure runway. The left main landing gear was located next to a manhole cover on the grass intermediate verge. The soil appeared freshly disrupted in the area of the cover, and a scrape and burn mark continued across the taxiway surface to the airplane’s location. The airplane was consumed by post accident fire, with only the outboard wing sections and tail remaining. Examination of the wreckage by the NTSB investigator-in-charge revealed that the steel flight controls were continuous from each control surface through to their respective cabin flight controls. The jack screw actuator extension dimensions for the elevator trim, landing gear, and flaps were compared to Mooney reference documentation. The positions revealed that the airplane was configured with the landing gear down, and flaps fully extended (33 degrees), with the elevator set to the takeoff trim position. According to the Mooney Pilot's Operating Handbook, applicable to the airplane serial number and type, prior to takeoff, the wing flaps should be set for the takeoff configuration of 15 degrees. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. All sections of the airplane were located at the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4326H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4326H-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 24-0707, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J - Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-0707 - Airframe hours: 4490 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2010, 5 hours before - Departed: SNA, Santa Ana, CA - Destination: CNO, Chino, CA - Airport: CNO, Chino, runway 26L, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 66; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 20, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 2,100 total, 10 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 48; injuries: serious; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 59 total, 52 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: CNO ## 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 20101211053599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101211053599A), Dec 11, 2010: Mooney M20J, Chino, CA, Destroyed. During touch and go practice at Chino Airport, pilot reportedly lost control on takeoff runway 26L, crashed on the runway and caught fire ## Other investigations on N4326H (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX01LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA246), Jul 12, 2001: Mooney M20J (N4326H), Las Vegas, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadaquate visual lookout and failure to maintain proper clearance from an object. A factor was the pilot's distraction by a conversation with ground control. ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 24, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77982. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 317 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344977&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - CFI Statement (item 2, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344987&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CFI%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photographs of Jackscrew Positions (item 3, .PDF, 418 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344979&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photographs%20of%20Jackscrew%20Positions-Master.PDF - Photograph 1: Accident Site (FAA Image) (item 4, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344981&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%201%3A%20Accident%20Site%20(FAA%20Image)-Master.PDF - Photograph 2: Accident Site (FAA Image) (item 5, .PDF, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344982&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%202%3A%20Accident%20Site%20(FAA%20Image)-Master.PDF - Mooney M20J Pilot Operating Handbook Excerpts (item 6, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344983&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Mooney%20M20J%20Pilot%20Operating%20Handbook%20Excerpts-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 7, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344985&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF 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.