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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

February 20, 1988 · Mooney M20 · N5782E

Morristown, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 20, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Morristown, NJ
Aircraft
Mooney M20
Tail Number
N5782E
Operator
Howard Balick
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC88LA088

THE MOONEY CRASHED WHILE ON A ILS APPROACH AT NIGHT. THE PLT HAD BEEN UNABLE TO GET INTO TWO OTHER AIRPORTS DUE TO WEATHER AND AIR TRAFFIC. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN SWAMPY AREA. THE PILOT HAD TOLD ATC THAT HE FELT UNEASY ABOUT HIS ENGINE; HOWEVER, HE DID NOT REMEMBER THE CONVERSATION AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT TOLD FAA PERS THAT HE HAD NOT BEEN FEELING WELL, BUT NO MENTION WAS MADE OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE. THE FAA SAID THAT IT APPEARED THAT THE DESCENT RATE WAS 5 DEGREES. THE DESCENT RATE ON THE ILS IS 3 DEGREES. THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND WITH SUFFICENT FORCE TO DISLODGE AND THROW THE ENG ABOUT 175 FT FORWARD OF THE MAIN WRECKAGE.

Full Narrative

THE MOONEY CRASHED WHILE ON A ILS APPROACH AT NIGHT. THE PLT HAD BEEN UNABLE TO GET INTO TWO OTHER AIRPORTS DUE TO WEATHER AND AIR TRAFFIC. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN SWAMPY AREA. THE PILOT HAD TOLD ATC THAT HE FELT UNEASY ABOUT HIS ENGINE; HOWEVER, HE DID NOT REMEMBER THE CONVERSATION AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT TOLD FAA PERS THAT HE HAD NOT BEEN FEELING WELL, BUT NO MENTION WAS MADE OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE. THE FAA SAID THAT IT APPEARED THAT THE DESCENT RATE WAS 5 DEGREES. THE DESCENT RATE ON THE ILS IS 3 DEGREES. THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND WITH SUFFICENT FORCE TO DISLODGE AND THROW THE ENG ABOUT 175 FT FORWARD OF THE MAIN WRECKAGE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:30 EST
Nearest AirportMorristown (3nm NE)
Runway23
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20
Tail NumberN5782E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHoward Balick
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A3B6D · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind150° @ 10 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time05:36
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data