Mooney M20J N3933H accident near Holly Ridge, North Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a stall/mush during takeoff and initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s loading the airplane near its maximum allowable gross weight and near its aft cg limit.

NTSB analysis

The pilot and three passengers were departing from a 3,591-ft-long grass runway when the accident occurred. Review of a video recorded by a witness on the ground revealed that, after becoming airborne, the airplane’s wings wobbled as it climbed, turned left, and descended into a wooded area about two-thirds down the runway. Onboard video recorded by a surviving passenger revealed that the engine continued to operate throughout the accident sequence and sounds consistent with a stall warning horn were heard before impact.

The amount of fuel onboard the airplane at the time of the accident was not determined. The airplane’s weight and balance at the time of the accident was estimated using the actual weights of the occupants and both full fuel tanks and half-full fuel tanks. With the fuel tanks filled to half capacity, the airplane was about 72 lbs under its maximum allowable gross weight and about 2 inches forward of the aft center of gravity limit.

Sound spectrum analysis of the audio portions of each video revealed that the engine was operating at or near its maximum takeoff power setting of 2,700 rpm, and engine sound was smooth and continuous throughout. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. The wing flaps were found retracted; the pilot’s operating handbook for the airplane indicated that flaps should be extended to 15° for takeoff.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA22FA024 for the full record.