No fatalities

7 Oct 2017: MOONEY M20 C — Topping, VA

Topping, VA, United States

On 7 Oct 2017, a MOONEY M20 C was involved in an aviation accident near Topping, VA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in a departure stall. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During takeoff from a runway intersection, the pilot over-rotated, entered a power-on stall, and the airplane rolled left into trees and a house, sustaining substantial damage.

Accident Details

The pilot reported that he initiated the takeoff roll from a runway intersection. To avoid trees, he pitched the nose of the airplane up for maximum climb. However, the pilot stated that he over-rotated the airplane, which resulted in a power-on stall. Attempting to recover, he lowered the nose, but the airplane subsequently rolled to the left. The aircraft then entered the trees before impacting a house.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The accident sequence was attributed entirely to the pilot's handling of the airplane during the takeoff phase.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The extent of damage indicates a high-energy impact with the trees and the house.

Contributing factors

Causes

Capability exceededPilot

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome