Mooney M20 accident near Topping, Virginia, October 7, 2017
On October 7, 2017 at about 12:51 pm local time, a 1964 Mooney M20, registered N7884V, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Topping, Virginia (Hummel Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in a departure stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 7, 2017 · about 12:51 pm local time
- Place
- Topping, Virginia · Hummel Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20 C, built 1964 · all M20s on the register
- Registration
- N7884V · no longer on the register · serial 2846
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, he began the takeoff roll from a runway intersection and pitched the airplane's nose up for maximum climb to avoid trees; however, he stated, "I over-rotated and entered a power-on stall." He attempted to correct by lowering the nose, but the airplane rolled to the left and entered the trees before impacting a house. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during takeoff defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Residence/building › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,819 hours in all; 29 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 29 in the last 30 days; 1,431 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 17, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,950 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 22, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 2,575 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 SER (piston); 3,950 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: W75 Topping VA at 12:45 pm
- Destination: GON Groton CT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01, 2,167 ft by 45 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 12:35 pm from KFYJ, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on March 30, 2018. 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 | Airport Diagram and Departure Instructions | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo | 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.