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NTSB Report
May 3, 1986 · Mooney M20F · N9309V
Morgan Hill, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 3, 1986
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Morgan Hill, CA
Aircraft
Mooney M20F
Tail Number
N9309V
Operator
J M Grimes
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86FA206
THE PILOT REQUESTED AND RECEIVED PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFINGS, TWICE, AND WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE FLIGHT DEPARTED AND CRASHED INTO MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN THAT WAS OBSCURED BY ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ACFT HAD CIRCLED SEVERAL TIMES IN A VALLEY OR CANYON AREA BEFORE IT DISAPPEARED INTO CLOUDS AND IMPACTED THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN. THEY REPORTED THAT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, THERE WERE LOW CEILINGS, POOR VISIBILITY WITH FOG AND HEAVY RAIN.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT REQUESTED AND RECEIVED PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFINGS, TWICE, AND WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE FLIGHT DEPARTED AND CRASHED INTO MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN THAT WAS OBSCURED BY ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ACFT HAD CIRCLED SEVERAL TIMES IN A VALLEY OR CANYON AREA BEFORE IT DISAPPEARED INTO CLOUDS AND IMPACTED THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN. THEY REPORTED THAT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, THERE WERE LOW CEILINGS, POOR VISIBILITY WITH FOG AND HEAVY RAIN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:55 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMooney M20F
Tail NumberN9309V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJ M Grimes
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 71 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:45
Weather SourceWFAC