Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN THE PROPER TAKEOFF SPEED. FACTORS ARE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE CROSSWIND.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On July 5, 1994, at 0900 hours Pacific daylight time , a Mooney M20C, N6959U, collided with terrain during a takeoff attempt at Voc Tech Airport at Las Vegas, Nevada. The aircraft was operated by the pilot/owner, and was involved in a personal flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the airplane was signed off for its annual inspection on the day of the accident. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft hop along the runway but did not get airborne. The aircraft departed the end of a 2100 foot long gravel runway, which is oriented east to west.
The reported weather conditions were clear with a temperature of 87 degrees fahrenheit, and winds from 170 degrees at 12 knots. The air traffic controller advised the pilot that the departure would be at his own risk, and the east boundary winds at McCarran were calm.
The pilot reported no mechanical problems.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX94LA275