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NTSB Report
September 10, 1985 · Mooney M20J · N4793H
Kraemer, LA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 10, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Kraemer, LA
Aircraft
Mooney M20J
Tail Number
N4793H
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW85LA344
ACFT WAS DESCENDING FROM CRUISE ALT WHEN IT ENTERED A RADAR LVL 3 THUNDERSTORM AND CONTROL WAS LOST DURING A NIGHT VFR FLT. THE ACFT IMPACTED A SWAMP IN A VERTICAL ATTITUDE WITH THE RT WING LEADING SLIGHTLY. THE LFT WING WAS FOUND ABOUT 10' SOUTH OF THE MAIN CRATER INDICATING THAT THE ACFT WAS INTACT AT IMPACT. THE PLT HAD A STORM SCOPE INSTALLED THAT MORNING AND HAD RECEIVED A CHECKOUT ON ITS OPERATION PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. NEW ORLEANS TRACON HAD ADVISED THE PLT OF THE PRESENCE OF THE CELL ALONG HIS FLT PATH, BUT HE DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE. RECORDED RADAR DATA INDICATED THAT THE ACFT WAS IN A NORMAL DESCENT PROFILE WHEN CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE ACFT ENTERED A VERT DESCENT. THE RADAR LVL 3 CELL WAS PROBABLY ACCOMPANIED BY AT LEAST MODERATE RAIN SHOWERS AND TURB. THE PLT HAD RECEIVED BRIEFINGS FROM BOTH FSS AND NWS AND WAS AWARE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.
Full Narrative
ACFT WAS DESCENDING FROM CRUISE ALT WHEN IT ENTERED A RADAR LVL 3 THUNDERSTORM AND CONTROL WAS LOST DURING A NIGHT VFR FLT. THE ACFT IMPACTED A SWAMP IN A VERTICAL ATTITUDE WITH THE RT WING LEADING SLIGHTLY. THE LFT WING WAS FOUND ABOUT 10' SOUTH OF THE MAIN CRATER INDICATING THAT THE ACFT WAS INTACT AT IMPACT. THE PLT HAD A STORM SCOPE INSTALLED THAT MORNING AND HAD RECEIVED A CHECKOUT ON ITS OPERATION PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. NEW ORLEANS TRACON HAD ADVISED THE PLT OF THE PRESENCE OF THE CELL ALONG HIS FLT PATH, BUT HE DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE. RECORDED RADAR DATA INDICATED THAT THE ACFT WAS IN A NORMAL DESCENT PROFILE WHEN CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE ACFT ENTERED A VERT DESCENT. THE RADAR LVL 3 CELL WAS PROBABLY ACCOMPANIED BY AT LEAST MODERATE RAIN SHOWERS AND TURB. THE PLT HAD RECEIVED BRIEFINGS FROM BOTH FSS AND NWS AND WAS AWARE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:05 CDT
Nearest Airport27nm SW
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMooney M20J
Tail NumberN4793H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A3B6D · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind240° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time02:50
Weather SourceWFAC