Mooney M20TN C-GTVS

Summary

On 7 July 2020 at about 19:44 local time, a Mooney M20TN registered C-GTVS was involved in an accident near Buena Vista, Colorado, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 July 2020 at 19:44

Classification

Accident

Location

Buena Vista, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Central Colorado Regional (AEJ)

Coordinates

38.8136, -106.1214

Aircraft

Mooney M20TN

Registration

C-GTVS

Category

Airplane

Year built

2007

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Buena Vista → Van Nuys

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN20LA268

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's distraction during takeoff, which resulted in collision with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he was on a cross-country flight and stopped at the airport to refuel the airplane. During the subsequent takeoff, the pilot looked down to adjust the engine mixture and put on his oxygen nose piece. He stated that he did not establish a positive rate of climb and was not paying attention to his airspeed and altitude. The pilot looked up and the right main landing gear hit the terrain very hard at an estimated speed of 150 to 160 knots. The pilot attempted to maintain control, and the airplane came to rest on the runway. A postimpact fire ensued, and the pilot sustained serious injuries as he exited the airplane. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.