# NTSB WPR23LA023: Mooney M20E, N6031Q, Marble Canyon, AZ, October 15, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 15, 2022, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Marble Canyon, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.810806, -111.64444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8108&lon=-111.6444&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: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 106182
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106182/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106182
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA023

## Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of directional control during a takeoff from a rough, narrow runway, resulting in an aborted takeoff and subsequent runway excursion.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md)
- [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 M20E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 M20E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Mooney M20E, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5870212), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll he noticed a vibration, and a possible loss of power, and the airplane veered to the left off the narrow (35 ft) runway when he decided to abort the takeoff. He therefore aborted the takeoff and subsequently the airplane impacted a dirt berm and came to rest in a ditch. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was run at various power settings with no anomalies noted. The pilot subsequently stated that he had since flown in another Mooney after the accident and, having experienced the effect of a rough surface on the landing gear, that the vibrations were likely an effect of the rough runway surface on the nose gear.

## Factual narrative

On October 15, 2022, about 0830 mountain standard time, a Mooney M20E airplane, N6031Q, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Marble Canyon, Arizona. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll he noticed a vibration, and a possible loss of power, and the airplane veered to the left off the narrow (35 ft) runway when he decided to abort the takeoff. Subsequently, the left main wheel departed off the runway’s edge and dug into the sand, causing a loss of performance and directional control of the airplane. The airplane then impacted a dirt berm and came to rest in a ditch. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was run at various power settings with no anomalies noted. The pilot subsequently stated that he had since flown in another Mooney after the accident and, having experienced the effect of a rough surface on the landing gear, that the vibrations were likely an effect of the rough runway surface on the nose gear. Airport remarks stated that the runway was resurfaced. It further stated that the resurfaced portion of Runway 03-21 is tight with no loose material but is somewhat rough.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6031Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6031Q), registered now, S/N 876, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 876
- Year built: 1965
- Airframe hours: 3062.67
- Engines: LYCOMING I0360 SER 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 2022, 12.7 hours before
- Destination: HND, Henderson, NV
- Airport: L41, Marble Canyon, runway 21, 3,715 × 35 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 3, 2022; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 604.3 total, 112 in this make and model, 469.3 as pilot in command, 26.4 in the last 90 days, 3.9 in the last 30 days, 1.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observed at: KPGA, 11 nm away
- METAR: METAR KPGA 151453Z AUTO 31004KT 10SM CLR 15/M05 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP137 T01501050 53012 $

## 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 20221015019349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221015019349A), Oct 15, 2022: Mooney M20E, Marble Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. The pilot's written statement stated that during the takeoff roll, he noticed a vibration and loss of power and pulling hard to the left off the runway,…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106182. 4.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16171299&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20Final_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16171454&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA023%20Memorandum%20for%20Record-Rel.pdf
- Engine examination summary report (item 3, PDF, 6 pages, 710 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16170972&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA023%20Engine%20Examination%20Factual%20Report%20Final%201-Rel.pdf
- FAA chart supplement sw U.S. (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16175151&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Chart%20Sup%20SW%20US%20Excerpt-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16171994&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2023%20Retention-Release-of-Wreckage-Form_N6031Q%20Final%201_Redacted-Rel.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.

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