Aircraft Loading Event: Mooney M20C Ranger, N9680M; accident occurred April 18, 2015 near Winchester Municipal Airport (KBGF), Franklin County, Tennessee

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Nashville, Tennessee

Location: Winchester, TN
Accident Number: ERA15LA190
Date & Time: 04/18/2015, 1452 CDT
Registration: N9680M
Aircraft: MOONEY M20C
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Aircraft loading event
Injuries: 2 Serious, 3 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis

The private pilot attempted to take off in a four-seat airplane with five adults onboard. A witness reported that the airplane lifted off about halfway down the 5,002-ft-long runway and momentarily climbed, then "suddenly dropped" and impacted terrain at the end of the runway. Review of weight and balance information indicated that the airplane was loaded at least 290 lbs above its maximum gross weight of 2,575 lbs. Had the airplane been loaded within limits, it could have taken off and cleared a 50- ft obstacle within a distance about 1,700 ft. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. It is likely that the airplane's performance was significantly reduced given its gross weight, and that the pilot exceeded the critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's inadequate weight and balance and performance planning, including his decision to take off with more passengers than permitted, and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. 

Findings

Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot

Personnel issues Weight/balance calculations - Pilot

Aircraft Maximum weight - Capability exceeded

Aircraft Angle of attack - Not attained/maintained

Factual Information

On April 18, 2015, about 1452 central daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N9680M, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from runway 18 at the Winchester Municipal Airport (BFG), Winchester, Tennessee. The private pilot and two passengers received minor injuries, two passengers received serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was privately owned and operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that after takeoff, the airplane's engine "lost power" and "put it down in a field across from the end of the runway" to avoid power lines. The pilot also stated that there were five people onboard the airplane. The airplane had four seats, and a baggage area located behind the rear seats.

A witness, who worked at the airport, stated that she watched the airplane lift off about halfway down the 5,002-ft-long runway and it did not seem it did not seem to have the proper lift. The airplane seemed to gain altitude then sink as it made a slight left turn at the end of the runway. They airplane then suddenly dropped out of sight.

Examination of the wreckage at the scene by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane impacted a grass field about a 1/4mile south of the runway and came to rest on the edge of a roadway. Both propeller blades exhibited leading edge gouging and chordwise scratches. One blade exhibited aft "s" bending; the other was bent forward about mid span. Recovery personnel drained about 30 gallons of fuel from the airplane at the scene.

A postaccident examination of the engine was conducted by an FAA inspector at a secure facility. Engine crankshaft continuity was confirmed on all cylinders, valves, and accessory gears. Continuity of the valvetrain was verified through a thumb compression test. The spark plugs were removed and inspected; each displayed a light gray color. The carburetor bowl was examined and was found to be

free of debris. The bowl contained fuel and about 1/2 teaspoon of water.

The 1435 recorded weather observation at BGF included wind 170 at 5 knots, visibility 10 miles with few clouds at 8000 feet, temperature 79 degrees F, dew point 57 degrees F; barometric altimeter 29.93 inches of mercury.

Review of records revealed that the airplane's basic empty weight was 1,620.8 lbs., with a maximum gross takeoff weight of 2,575 lbs., resulting in a useful load of 954.2 lbs. According to drivers' license records, the five occupants weighed a total of 1,065 lbs., which added to the weight of the fuel (180 lbs.) resulted in a gross weight that was 290.8 lbs. above the airplane's maximum gross weight, not accounting for any baggage. Review of a takeoff performance chart for the airplane revealed that for the given altitude and temperature, the airplane required about 1,700 feet to takeoff and clear a 50-ft obstacle; however, that data assumed the airplane weighed 2,575 lbs.

History of Flight

Prior to flight Aircraft loading event (Defining event)

Initial climb Off-field or emergency landing

Landing Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 31, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 07/16/2013
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/25/2013
Flight Time:  63 hours (Total, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: MOONEY
Registration: N9680M
Model/Series: M20C
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1967
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 670016
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/25/2015, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2575 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 9 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3031 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-360
Registered Owner: Pressley, Brent, DBA Smokey Mountain Aeroplanes
Rated Power: 180
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KBGF, 979 ft msl
Observation Time: 1935 CDT
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 358°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 8000 ft agl
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 14°C
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots, 170°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Winchester, TN (BGF)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Winchester, TN (BGF)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1452 CDT
Type of Airspace: 

Airport Information

Airport: WINCHESTER MUNI (BGF)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 979 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 18
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5002 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 Serious, 2 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Serious, 3 Minor
Latitude, Longitude:  35.167500, -86.065833 (est)  

WINCHESTER, Tenn. – Authorities confirmed a Mooney carrying a pilot and four passengers crashed just after takeoff at the Winchester Municipal Airport. 

Officials said the small plane went down about 500 yards after taking off. All five on board were taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital.

Those with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office said they were expected to survive.

The pilot told officials the plane lost power during takeoff, but authorities said that would have to be confirmed through an investigation.

Authorities said the plane initially made impact in the ground, skidded across Williams Cove Road, and spun around, stopping partially on the road.

The names of those injured have not been released.

Carey Wofford, chairman of the Winchester Airport Authority, said the plane was a Mooney 21 designed for four people. Wofford added the plane would have been several hundred feet off the ground before it experienced trouble.

The investigation was set to be handled by the Federal Aviation Administration. 

Original article can be found here:   http://www.scrippsmedia.com

FRANKLIN COUNTY, TN. (WAAY)-According to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, 5 people where injured when a small plane taking off from the Winchester Municipal Airport crashed on Williams Cove Road.

It happened around  2:45 p.m. Saturday. 

Three people were flown to area hospitals and two were transported by ambulance.

Officials said everyone was in stable condition.

Deputies believe there might have been too much weight on the plane as it was taking off and it wasn't able to reach proper elevation.

The plane went down about a quarter mile from the airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration will be conducting an investigation.

Original article can be found here: http://www.waaytv.com

Several occupants in a small aircraft were injured mid afternoon Saturday in a crash near Winchester Airport.'

At about 3 p.m., a small passenger aircraft crashed on Williams Cove Road in Winchester after either missing the runway at the Winchester Regional Airport or after attempting to land, with four passengers on board.

The pilot was shaken up, and acknowledging being in pain, but was able to walk around, was conscious and alert. 

Local emergency personnel, fire department, Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies and Winchester Police Chief Dennis Young were on the scene to help evacuate those injured and assess the incident.

The passengers were in the process of being evacuated shortly after the plane crashed. Two were being airlifted. 

Further updates will be available as authorities release information.

Original article can be found here:  http://www.heraldchronicle.com

WINCHESTER, Tenn. (WKRN) – A small plane carrying five people went down in Winchester Saturday afternoon.

The aircraft crashed around 2:30 p.m. on Williams Cove Road shortly after taking off from the Winchester Municipal Airport.

Officials told News 2 the pilot was unable to get above the power lines, so he banked left and crashed. 

The aircraft was on its belly and never flipped over.

Four passengers were taken to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries. 

The pilot was transported to Southern Tennessee Medical Center for back pain.

The exact cause of the crash has yet to be determined.

Original article can be found here: http://wkrn.com