Mooney M20C N6779U

Summary

On 30 December 2001 at about 20:45 local time, a Mooney M20C registered N6779U was involved in an accident near Martinsville, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 December 2001 at 20:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Martinsville, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Blue Ridge (MTV)

Coordinates

36.6306, -80.0183

Aircraft

Mooney M20C

Registration

N6779U

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Martinsville → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD02LA023

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's premature rotation and his failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he initiated the takeoff at 65 mph, and the airplane veered to the left. He could not maintain directional control with right rudder, and the airplane continued left, struck bushes, and ran into a ditch. There were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. According to FAA Advisory Circular AC-61-23C, "The effect of torque increases in direct proportion to engine power, airspeed, and airplane attitude. If the power setting is high, the airspeed slow, and the angle of attack high, the effect of torque is greater."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.