NTSB Identification: FTW01LA090. Accident occurred Friday, March
30, 2001 in PECOS, TX Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/30/2001
Aircraft: Mooney M20J, registration: N4498H Injuries: 1
Uninjured.   The airplane was climbing through 5,500 feet when
the pilot heard a loud noise and felt a rush of air. The pilot
turned around and noticed that the baggage door was open. He
elected to return and land at the departure airport. The pilot
stated that his reference paper with the traffic pattern
altitude written on it was blown away with the rush of air. He
entered downwind low and continued a low approach until final
where he attempted to add power to arrest his descent rate. The
airplane continued to sink and impacted the ground short of the
runway with the right wing low.   the pilot's failure to obtain
a proper glide path during landing, which resulted in the
airplane's impact with terrain short of the runway. Contributory
factors were the open baggage door and the pilot's diverted
attention to the open door.  Full