Overview
The pilot of a Mooney M20F conducted a series of low-altitude maneuvers following takeoff. The sequence included immediate landing gear retraction, a steep turning pull-up, a high-speed low-level pass with a balloon bursting attempt, and a final climbing turn. The aircraft subsequently impacted terrain near the runway.
Initial Maneuvers
According to the investigation report, the pilot retracted the landing gear almost immediately after the tires left the runway surface. The aircraft continued to accelerate while flying at a very low altitude over the airfield. The pilot then executed a steep right-hand 180-degree turning pull-up. Numerous pilot-rated witnesses stated that during this pull-up, the aircraft appeared to be flying just on the edge of a stall.
Intermediate Maneuvers
After the initial pull-up, the pilot proceeded to the approach end of the airfield. There, he entered a descending turn and executed a high-speed, low-level pass. During this pass, a helium-filled balloon was released for the pilot to attempt to burst with the aircraft's propeller.
Final Maneuver and Impact
At the conclusion of the high-speed pass, the pilot made a rapid climbing pull-up to the left, reaching an altitude of approximately 300 feet above ground level. Witnesses estimated the bank angle at the top of the climbing turn to be approximately 50 degrees. The aircraft maintained approximately the same angle of bank as it descended toward the terrain, ultimately impacting near the runway.
Witness Observations
Pilot-rated witnesses provided key observations throughout the sequence. They noted that during the initial pull-up, the aircraft seemed on the edge of a stall. The bank angle during the final descending turn was consistently estimated at around 50 degrees.
No probable cause was identified in the source.