Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff due to his attention being diverted. Factors were the passenger's seat belt buckle blocking the gear up latching mechanism, and his lack of familiarity with the airplane.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot's attention was diverted to a problem with raising the gear lever. The passenger side seatbelt buckle was blocking the gear lever preventing the gear from locking up. While the pilot was trying to move the seatbelt buckle, the airplane collided with the terrain. The pilot had just purchased the airplane and reported 1 hour in make/model.
Source record
Factual narrative
On January 14, 1995, at 1220 central standard time, a Mooney M20F, N4024N, was substantially damaged during takeoff near Miami, Oklahoma. The private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross county flight. The pilot/operator report stated the following information. The pilot had just purchased the airplane and was going to fly it back to California. "While taking off - passenger side seatbelt buckle was jammed under gear lever which prevented gear from locking up - while trying to clear buckle from gear lever aircraft struck the ground." -