Mooney M20F accident near Frederick, Colorado, May 14, 1995
On May 14, 1995 at about 7:40 pm local time, a Mooney M20F, registered N9399V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Frederick, Colorado (Fredrick (Private) airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S USE OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF AND HIS DELAY IN INITIATING AN ABORT. FACTORS WERE A SOFT AND WET AIR STRIP.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 14, 1995 · about 7:40 pm local time
- Place
- Frederick, Colorado · Fredrick (Private) · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20F · all M20Fs on the register
- Registration
- N9399V · no longer on the register · serial 700021
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT STATED HE WAS DOING AN ACCELERATION TEST PRIOR TO DEPARTING AND WHEN HE TRIED TO STOP, THE AIRCRAFT SLID OFF THE END OF 2,800 FOOT LONG DIRT STRIP, THROUGH A FENCE AND DITCH, AND ONTO A ROAD BORDERING THE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE APPLED BRAKES AT 70 KNOTS. NORMAL ROTATION SPEED IN 60 KNOTS. HEAVY WHEEL MARKS WERE FOUND 700 FEET PRIOR TO THE FENCE AND DITCH.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,975 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days; 1,500 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,967 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 15, 1995; 36 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE at 7:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,800 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:34 pm from FNL, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.