Probable cause
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in a departure stall.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, he began the takeoff roll from a runway intersection and pitched the airplane's nose up for maximum climb to avoid trees; however, he stated, "I over-rotated and entered a power-on stall." He attempted to correct by lowering the nose, but the airplane rolled to the left and entered the trees before impacting a house.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA004 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 7, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Topping, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Hummel Field (W75)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Mooney M20
- N-number
- N7884V
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1964
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.