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NTSB Report
August 23, 1989 · Mooney M20F · CFSAB
Livermore, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 23, 1989
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Livermore, CA
Aircraft
Mooney M20F
Tail Number
CFSAB
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89FA275
THE FLIGHT HAD DEPARTED LIVERMORE ON 8/18 FOR AN EXTENDED TRIP. WHILE THE PILOT WAS AWAY, LAWRENCE LIVERMORE LABORATORY HAD INSTALLED ELECT TRANSMISSION LINES ON 200-FT TOWERS ON HILLS 6 MI EAST OF THE ARPT. THE LINES CROSSED A HIGHWAY AND WERE ABOUT 300-400 FT ABOVE THE VALLEY FLOOR. ACCORDING TO LOCAL PILOTS, WHEN FOG OR LOW CEILINGS COVERED THE ARPT, IT IS COMMON PRACTICE TO OVERFLY THE ARPT IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION UNTIL THE GROUND IS VISIBLE, DESCEND, AND REVERSE COURSE UNDER THE CLOUDS FOLLOWING THE HIGHWAY WESTWARD TO THE ARPT. THE MAIN WRECKAGE WAS FOUND 300 YARDS WEST OF THE LINES AND NORTH OF THE HIGHWAY. THE RIGHT WING TIP WAS TORN FROM THE WING, AND WAS LOCATED UNDER THE LINES. GROUND WITNESSES STATED THE SKY WAS OVERCAST AND ESTIMATED THE CEILING AS 200 FT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONDUCT LOW LEVEL NIGHT FLIGHT UNDER LOW CEILINGS. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE DARK NIGHT, LOW CEILING, AND HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS.
Full Narrative
THE FLIGHT HAD DEPARTED LIVERMORE ON 8/18 FOR AN EXTENDED TRIP. WHILE THE PILOT WAS AWAY, LAWRENCE LIVERMORE LABORATORY HAD INSTALLED ELECT TRANSMISSION LINES ON 200-FT TOWERS ON HILLS 6 MI EAST OF THE ARPT. THE LINES CROSSED A HIGHWAY AND WERE ABOUT 300-400 FT ABOVE THE VALLEY FLOOR. ACCORDING TO LOCAL PILOTS, WHEN FOG OR LOW CEILINGS COVERED THE ARPT, IT IS COMMON PRACTICE TO OVERFLY THE ARPT IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION UNTIL THE GROUND IS VISIBLE, DESCEND, AND REVERSE COURSE UNDER THE CLOUDS FOLLOWING THE HIGHWAY WESTWARD TO THE ARPT. THE MAIN WRECKAGE WAS FOUND 300 YARDS WEST OF THE LINES AND NORTH OF THE HIGHWAY. THE RIGHT WING TIP WAS TORN FROM THE WING, AND WAS LOCATED UNDER THE LINES. GROUND WITNESSES STATED THE SKY WAS OVERCAST AND ESTIMATED THE CEILING AS 200 FT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:08 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftMooney M20F
Tail NumberCFSAB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
CeilingOvercast 200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT