Pilot Debrief

MOONEY M20D near Brodhead, WI — 2016-09-11

Final reportCEN16CA383
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Date
2016-09-11
Location
Brodhead, WI, USA
Airport
C37
Aircraft
MOONEY M20D
Registration
N6919U
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of airplane control during initial climb due to an excessively nose-high attitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to properly set the elevator trim before takeoff in accordance with the Before Takeoff checklist.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot arrived to a turf strip to attend a fly-in event on the day of the accident. During departure, the pilot stated he applied full aft yoke during the takeoff roll and lifted off with a nose high attitude. Soon after takeoff, the airplane banked left and descended into a cornfield, which damaged the firewall. The pilot attributed his nose high attitude immediately after takeoff to an improper nose up trim setting, as he had not set the airplane's elevator trim to the takeoff position in accordance with the before takeoff checklist. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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