Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

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2310 Total Accidents 425 Fatal 816 Fatalities 1982-2026
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Lamar, Colorado

March 19, 2014 · NTSB CEN14CA440 · MOONEY M20J (N201VA)
Serious Injury
Note: This analysis may be based on NTSB preliminary reports, which represent an initial, incomplete investigation. Facts can change as the investigation progresses, and preliminary findings should not be assumed to be accurate or final. For older events, a final NTSB report may have been issued β€” always consult the NTSB Aviation Query for the authoritative record.

NTSB Narrative

The pilot reported he had not flown the airplane for years, but once or twice a year, he would taxi the airplane up and down his private airstrip. He stated that on this occasion, he was taxied the airplane on the airstrip, and for some unknown reason, he decided to pull back on the yoke and allow the airplane to become airborne. The airplane did not have sufficient airspeed to stay airborne. The airplane stalled and impacted the terrain in a nose down attitude resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane which would have precluded normal operation. The pilot allowed the airplane to liftoff without sufficient airspeed which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with the terrain.

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NTSB Findings

  • Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C
  • Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Recent experience w/ equipment-Pilot

Details

NTSB ReportCEN14CA440
AircraftMOONEY M20J
RegistrationN201VA
DamageSUBS
FAR Part091
Location38.2114, -102.6008
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