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NTSB Report
May 31, 1990 · Mooney M-20F · N6873V
Aledo, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 31, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Aledo, TX
Aircraft
Mooney M-20F
Tail Number
N6873V
Operator
Kenneth R Spain
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW90LA112
THE RUNWAY WAS SHORT. THE DAY WAS HOT. THE AIRPLANE MADE A RUNNING START ONTO THE GRASS AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT PULLED THE AIRPLANE INTO THE AIR, WELL PAST THE NORMAL LIFTOFF POINT. THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT FLY OUT OF GROUND EFECT. THE PILOT KEPT THE AIRPLANE AIRBORNE UNTIL IT PASSED OVER A ROAD AND A FENCE, THEN HE PULLED THE POWER OFF, AND IT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. AIRSTRIP OAT WAS 94 DEGREES F. AND DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 3,600 FEET VERSUS AIRSTRIP ELEVATION OF 870 FEET MSL. AIRPLANE WAS NOT OVERLOADED FOR A NORMAL DAY, BUT IT WAS OVERLOADED FOR THE DENSITY ALTITUDE ON THIS DAY.
NTSB Probable Cause
INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, IN AS MUCH AS THE PERFORMANCE DATA WAS NOT USED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. FACTORS WERE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, INADEQUATE AIRSPEED, AND PREMATURE LIFTOFF.
Full Narrative
THE RUNWAY WAS SHORT. THE DAY WAS HOT. THE AIRPLANE MADE A RUNNING START ONTO THE GRASS AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT PULLED THE AIRPLANE INTO THE AIR, WELL PAST THE NORMAL LIFTOFF POINT. THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT FLY OUT OF GROUND EFECT. THE PILOT KEPT THE AIRPLANE AIRBORNE UNTIL IT PASSED OVER A ROAD AND A FENCE, THEN HE PULLED THE POWER OFF, AND IT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. AIRSTRIP OAT WAS 94 DEGREES F. AND DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 3,600 FEET VERSUS AIRSTRIP ELEVATION OF 870 FEET MSL. AIRPLANE WAS NOT OVERLOADED FOR A NORMAL DAY, BUT IT WAS OVERLOADED FOR THE DENSITY ALTITUDE ON THIS DAY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:30 CDT
Nearest AirportTRIPLES (0nm N)
Runway35
Runway Length1850 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMooney M-20F
Tail NumberN6873V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorKenneth R Spain
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:55
Weather SourceWFAC