Mooney M20E accident near Rio Linda, CA
On February 28, 2009, a Mooney M20E (airplane) was involved in an accident near Rio Linda, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- February 28, 2009
- Place
- Rio Linda, CA
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20E · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 38.679°N, 121.446°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090301X04523
Official records · WPR09FA133
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 28, 2009, at 0905 Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20E, N3463X, collided with the ground shortly after takeoff from the Rio Linda airport, Rio Linda, California. The pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a maintenance test flight. The certificated private pilot and mechanic/passenger were killed. The airplane was substantially damaged in the post-impact fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight had been filed. WITNESS INFORMATION According to witnesses on the airport and surrounding the airport, they heard the engine sputtering and smoke emanating from the engine. Witnesses then saw the airplane enter a spin and impact the ground, and burst into flames. A witness, a part owner in the airplane, standing adjacent to the runway videotaping the flight, reported that as the airplane passed overhead he could hear popping and sputtering followed by a puff of black smoke emanating from the right rear of the engine. The same witness reported that the airplane had recently gone through an annual inspection and the accident flight was the first flight following that maintenance. The inspection included the installation of a field major overhauled engine and tail section. VIDEOTAPE The witness/part owner of the airplane submitted his videotape of the accident flight. The videotape showed the engine start and run-up at the hangar, a high-speed taxi brake check, the takeoff roll and climb out, and turn back toward the runway. The videotape was revie
Probable cause
A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering during the initial climb, which resulted in a stall/spin.
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Browse: California · Mooney aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
