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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

August 6, 1983 · Mooney M20K · N3624H

Essex, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1983
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Essex, CA
Aircraft
Mooney M20K
Tail Number
N3624H
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83LA468

WHEN THE CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT DID NOT ARRIVE AT ITS DESTINATION, CONCERNED RELATIVES REPORTED IT OVERDUE. A SEARCH WAS INITIATED, BUT THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT FOUND DURING THAT SEARCH. HOWEVER, IT WAS LOCATED ON 11/19/91, WHILE A SEARCH WAS BEING MADE FOR ANOTHER AIRPLANE. AN NTSB WEATHER STUDY DISCLOSED THAT VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. AN EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THE AIRPLANE HAD STRUCK THE GROUND IN A STEEP, NOSE DOWN, HIGH VELOCITY, RIGHT WING DOWN ATTITUDE. THE WRECKAGE GROUND PATH EXTENDED ABOUT 246 FEET WITH DEBRIS SCATTERED ABOUT A 120 DEGREE FAN SHAPED ARC FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT CRATER. ALL OF THE AIRPLANE'S FLIGHT CONTROLS & MAJOR COMPONENTS WERE FOUND AT THE MAIN WRECKAGE AREA. THE PROPELLER BLADES DISPLAYED EXTENSIVE ENGINE POWER SIGNATURES. THE AUTOPILOT SLIDE SWITCH WAS FOUND IN THE ON POSITION AND THE PITCH TRIM WHEEL WAS IN THE MAX UP POSITION. NO PREIMPACT AIRFRAME FAILURE WAS FOUND.

NTSB Probable Cause

AN IN-FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

Full Narrative

WHEN THE CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT DID NOT ARRIVE AT ITS DESTINATION, CONCERNED RELATIVES REPORTED IT OVERDUE. A SEARCH WAS INITIATED, BUT THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT FOUND DURING THAT SEARCH. HOWEVER, IT WAS LOCATED ON 11/19/91, WHILE A SEARCH WAS BEING MADE FOR ANOTHER AIRPLANE. AN NTSB WEATHER STUDY DISCLOSED THAT VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. AN EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THE AIRPLANE HAD STRUCK THE GROUND IN A STEEP, NOSE DOWN, HIGH VELOCITY, RIGHT WING DOWN ATTITUDE. THE WRECKAGE GROUND PATH EXTENDED ABOUT 246 FEET WITH DEBRIS SCATTERED ABOUT A 120 DEGREE FAN SHAPED ARC FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT CRATER. ALL OF THE AIRPLANE'S FLIGHT CONTROLS & MAJOR COMPONENTS WERE FOUND AT THE MAIN WRECKAGE AREA. THE PROPELLER BLADES DISPLAYED EXTENSIVE ENGINE POWER SIGNATURES. THE AUTOPILOT SLIDE SWITCH WAS FOUND IN THE ON POSITION AND THE PITCH TRIM WHEEL WAS IN THE MAX UP POSITION. NO PREIMPACT AIRFRAME FAILURE WAS FOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20K
Tail NumberN3624H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-GB · Reciprocating · 210
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility35 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time03:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data