Mooney M20E N6031Q accident near Marble Canyon, Arizona

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of directional control during a takeoff from a rough, narrow runway, resulting in an aborted takeoff and subsequent runway excursion.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll he noticed a vibration, and a possible loss of power, and the airplane veered to the left off the narrow (35 ft) runway when he decided to abort the takeoff. He therefore aborted the takeoff and subsequently the airplane impacted a dirt berm and came to rest in a ditch.

Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was run at various power settings with no anomalies noted. The pilot subsequently stated that he had since flown in another Mooney after the accident and, having experienced the effect of a rough surface on the landing gear, that the vibrations were likely an effect of the rough runway surface on the nose gear.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR23LA023 for the full record.