Mooney Aircraft CORP. M20K accident near New Shoreham, Rhode Island, July 27, 2021
On July 27, 2021 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 1980 Mooney Aircraft CORP. M20K, registered N110CG, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near New Shoreham, Rhode Island (Block Island State airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper decision to reject the takeoff at an excessive speed, resulting in a runway excursion and collision with a fence. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to lock the door as required by the placarded door closing procedures.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 27, 2021 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- New Shoreham, Rhode Island · Block Island State · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney Aircraft CORP. M20K, built 1980
- Registration
- N110CG · no longer on the register · serial 25-0383
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during his normal preflight procedures, he latched, but did not lock, the baggage door, and there were no problems with the latch. During the takeoff roll, at rotation speed, his wife, who was in the right cockpit seat, noticed that the baggage door had opened. Fearing that his dogs in the rear seat would exit the airplane, he decided to abort the takeoff. The airplane departed the end of the runway, through the overrun, and down an embankment before colliding with a perimeter fence, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. A post-accident examination of the baggage door and latching hardware revealed no malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. There was a placard inside the cabin that required locking the baggage door as the last step to securing it.
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
- Runway excursion during takeoff defining event
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Doors › Cargo/baggage doors › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Forgotten action/omission › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, military
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,864 hours in all; 14 in this make and model; 121 in the last 90 days; 54 in the last 30 days; 4,125 as pilot in command; 707 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 20, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,158 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2021; 14 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-NB (piston); 4,158 hours total
The flight
- Destination: OQU North Kingstown RI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10/2, 2,502 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 7:56 pm from KBID
Weather report (METAR): METAR KBID 272356Z AUTO 22012KT 10SM BKN070 23/19 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP133 T02280189 10294 20228 55001
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on April 28, 2022. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Record of Telephone Call W/ Pilot 1 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Record of Telephone Call W/ Pilot 2 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | NTSB Memo for Record - FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Rhode Island Airport Corporation Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages | 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.