Mooney Aircraft CORP. M20C accident near Mitchellville, Maryland, September 2, 2013
On September 2, 2013 at about 7:40 pm local time, a 1962 Mooney Aircraft CORP. M20C, registered N78951, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Mitchellville, Maryland (Freeway Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to ensure that the wing flaps were properly configured before takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 2, 2013 · about 7:40 pm local time
- Place
- Mitchellville, Maryland · Freeway Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney Aircraft CORP. M20C, built 1962
- Registration
- N78951 · no longer on the register · serial 2140
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane departed from the 2,420-foot-long asphalt runway near its maximum gross weight. Review of witness statements and a video revealed that the airplane initially lifted off and climbed out of ground effect; however, it subsequently descended in a nose-up attitude into trees about 250 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the flaps were in the fully extended position and that the flap position indicator was indicating the "down" position (fully extended). No other preimpact anomalies were observed with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The takeoff checklist indicated that the pilot should pump the hydraulically actuated flap handle twice, which would extend the flaps to a 15-degree takeoff position. If the flap handle were pumped four and one-half times, the flaps would extend to the full-down position. It is likely that the pilot repeated that checklist item twice, which would have placed the flaps at or near the fully extended position. Review of performance data revealed that adequate runway length existed for the airplane to take off if its flaps had been in the takeoff position.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › TE flap control system › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Configuration › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 388 hours in all; 168 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 305 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,703 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 31, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 2,575 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 3,703 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: W00 Mitchellville MD at 7:40 pm
- Destination: W00 Mitchellville MD
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 36, 2,420 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.73 inHg
- Observation at 3:40 pm from CGS, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
13 documents, released by the NTSB on April 8, 2014. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Interview Summaries | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Witness Statements | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | External Video of Take-off | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Police Report | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Copy of Checklist from Airplane | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Excerpts from Make and Model Owner's Manual | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Shelf Item - Copy of Fss Audio | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Weather Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Photograph : 1: Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Photograph # 2: Propeller Blade (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 12 | Photgraph # 3: Left Flap (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 13 | Photograph # 4: Flap Indicator (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.