NTSB Factual Report

On April 29, 2003 at 1904 eastern daylight time a Mooney M20E, N201EZ, registered to and operated by the private pilot, collided with the ground while attempting a soft field takeoff at Baldwin County Airport, Milledgeville, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Milledgeville, Georgia, at 1904 on April 29, 2003.

According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to return the airplane to the repair station where he had previously gotten an annual inspection completed. The pilot had complained about a landing gear and strut problem during landing and takeoff. Due to the gear and strut problem, the pilot elected to perform a soft field takeoff from runway 10. According to a witness at the airport, the airplane was first heard in the runup area, and next seen climbing out from the runway. The airplane was then seen about 50 feet above the ground, in a nose high attitude, and in a 60-degree left bank. The airplane continued to bank until the left wingtip was in a 90 degree left bank collided with the ground. The aircraft spun across the ground and came to rest in a tree line left of runway 10 at Baldwin County Airport.

Examination of aircraft after accident revealed that both wings were bent at the spars, and the nose section forward of the fire wall was displaced to the left. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane during the takeoff and initial climb.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during climbout which resulted in a low altitude stall and subsequent in-flight collision with the terrain.