On June 3, 2000, a Mooney M20F (registration N9207V) was involved in an aviation accident near Upland, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain directional control of the aircraft on takeoff after the cabin door became ajar. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane veered off the runway and came to rest in a ditch during takeoff after the cabin door opened and the pilot became distracted by a passenger.
Incident Overview
During takeoff, an airplane veered off the runway and came to rest in a ditch. The pilot reported that the cabin door came open during the takeoff roll. He intended to continue the takeoff, return to land, and close the door. However, the passenger seated in the right front seat distracted him. In the time necessary to calm and reassure the passenger, the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft, and it drifted off the runway to the left.
Weather Conditions
The nearest aviation surface weather observation, taken at an airport 6 miles away, reported calm wind conditions at the time of the incident.