Casualties unknown

1999-01-31: Mooney M20E (N5658Q) — Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque, NM, US

On January 31, 1999, a Mooney M20E (registration N5658Q) was involved in an aviation accident near Albuquerque, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot experienced an uncommanded left roll shortly after takeoff on runway 35 due to mushy flight controls, noting a gully near the departure point and shifting wind conditions.

What happened

The aircraft operated from a runway designated as 35 under light wind conditions. The initial environment featured a west-northwest wind component measuring between 3 to 5 knots. After completing a landing on this same runway, the pilot prepared for departure approximately fifteen minutes later.

Upon initiating the takeoff roll and reaching an altitude of roughly 20 feet above ground level, the pilot reported that the flight controls became unresponsive or mushy. Immediately following this loss of control authority, the airplane entered an uncommanded roll to the left.

After exiting the aircraft, the pilot observed a gully situated perpendicular to the left side of the runway at the exact location where control was lost. Environmental conditions had shifted by this time; the wind direction was recorded between 200 and 220 degrees with speeds increasing to 8 to 12 knots.

The investigation

No mechanical examination or physical evidence collection is described in the source material regarding the aircraft's systems or structure.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001204X00049. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.