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NTSB Report

June 2, 2020 · Mooney M20C No Series · N2768W

Durham, NC

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 2, 2020
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Durham, NC
Aircraft
Mooney M20C No Series (1966)
Tail Number
N2768W
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA20CA205

The pilot was attempting a soft-field takeoff from a 3,200-ft-long turf runway. The pilot stated that during the takeoff he lowered the airplane’s nose to build airspeed, then began a normal climb. About treetop height, the pilot noticed that the airspeed was decreasing, so he lowered the nose to gain airspeed, but was sacrificing altitude to do so. Realizing that there was limited runway available, and not wanting to collide with the trees at the end of the runway, the pilot again increased the airplane’s pitch to begin a gradual climb. The pilot stated that at that point the airplane did not “have the power or speed to overcome the windshear.” The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A mechanic who watched the airplane during the takeoff noted that it was flying at a “very slow speed” about 30 feet above the ground. The airplane continued to slow before the left wing dropped and the pitch of the nose decreased. The airplane started to turn to the left and the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane impacted the ground adjacent to a tree line off the left side of the runway. The fuselage, empennage, and left wing were substantially damaged. The closest automated weather observation station, about 10 miles south, reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 240° at 13 knots. The airplane was departing from runway 32. The pilot described that at the time of the accident, the wind was light and variable from the east northeast.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall..

Full Narrative

The pilot was attempting a soft-field takeoff from a 3,200-ft-long turf runway. The pilot stated that during the takeoff he lowered the airplane’s nose to build airspeed, then began a normal climb. About treetop height, the pilot noticed that the airspeed was decreasing, so he lowered the nose to gain airspeed, but was sacrificing altitude to do so. Realizing that there was limited runway available, and not wanting to collide with the trees at the end of the runway, the pilot again increased the airplane’s pitch to begin a gradual climb. The pilot stated that at that point the airplane did not “have the power or speed to overcome the windshear.” The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A mechanic who watched the airplane during the takeoff noted that it was flying at a “very slow speed” about 30 feet above the ground. The airplane continued to slow before the left wing dropped and the pitch of the nose decreased. The airplane started to turn to the left and the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane impacted the ground adjacent to a tree line off the left side of the runway. The fuselage, empennage, and left wing were substantially damaged. The closest automated weather observation station, about 10 miles south, reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 240° at 13 knots. The airplane was departing from runway 32. The pilot described that at the time of the accident, the wind was light and variable from the east northeast.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 EDT
Nearest AirportLake Ridge Aero Park (0nm NNW)
Runway32
Runway Length3200 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20C No Series
Tail NumberN2768W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O&VO-360 SER · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 62 · First Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 13 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time18:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data