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NTSB Report
October 22, 1988 · Mooney M20E · N79373
Longview, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 22, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Longview, TX
Aircraft
Mooney M20E
Tail Number
N79373
Operator
Birdwell Robert
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW89FA006
THE AIRPLANE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN THE PILOT TRANSMITTED THAT HE HAD SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. 53 SECONDS LATER CONTACT WAS LOST. THE NOSE AND LEFT WING WERE SLIGHTLY DOWN WHEN THE ACFT STRUCK TREES AND TERRAIN AT HIGH SPEED. FIRE STARTED SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER IMPACT. INVESTIGATION INDICATED THERE HAD BEEN HEAVY SMOKE AND POSSIBLE SHORT DURATION FLASH FIRE OF UNDETERMINED ORIGIN. ONE GROUP OF WIRES WAS FOUND WITH BURNED INSULATION AND WITH ONE WIRE ELECTRICALLY MELTED IN TWO.
Full Narrative
THE AIRPLANE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN THE PILOT TRANSMITTED THAT HE HAD SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. 53 SECONDS LATER CONTACT WAS LOST. THE NOSE AND LEFT WING WERE SLIGHTLY DOWN WHEN THE ACFT STRUCK TREES AND TERRAIN AT HIGH SPEED. FIRE STARTED SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER IMPACT. INVESTIGATION INDICATED THERE HAD BEEN HEAVY SMOKE AND POSSIBLE SHORT DURATION FLASH FIRE OF UNDETERMINED ORIGIN. ONE GROUP OF WIRES WAS FOUND WITH BURNED INSULATION AND WITH ONE WIRE ELECTRICALLY MELTED IN TWO.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:08 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireBoth
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftMooney M20E
Tail NumberN79373
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBirdwell Robert
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 8 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:20
Weather SourceWFAC