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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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January 19, 1982 · Mooney M20F · N7761M

Cedar Vale, KS

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 19, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Cedar Vale, KS
Aircraft
Mooney M20F
Tail Number
N7761M
Operator
Hampton Indus
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC82FCQ08

WHILE LANDING ON THE PREVIOUS FLIGHT, THE PROPELLER WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT STRUCK AN ELECTRIC FENCE. AFTER THE PROPELLER WAS REPAIRED, THE PILOT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF AT NIGHT. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PILOT HAD REMOVED ALL FROST BEFORE TAKEOFF. WITNESSES STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A STEEP CLIMB, THEN IT CONTINUED STRAIGHT AHEAD AND CRASHED. THEY REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING UNTIL IMPACT. BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK ELECTRIC LINES AND TREES. THE LOOSE END OF AN ELECTRIC WIRE HAD THE APPEARANCE OF BEING CUT AND SEVERAL TREE LIMBS WERE FOUND WITH DIAGONAL SLASH MARKS. THE WITNESSES ESTIMATED THAT THE VISIBILITY WAS ABOUT 3 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, A FEW MINUTES LATER, LOW CEILING AND VISIBILITY WITH FOG WERE REPORTED.

Full Narrative

WHILE LANDING ON THE PREVIOUS FLIGHT, THE PROPELLER WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT STRUCK AN ELECTRIC FENCE. AFTER THE PROPELLER WAS REPAIRED, THE PILOT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF AT NIGHT. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PILOT HAD REMOVED ALL FROST BEFORE TAKEOFF. WITNESSES STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A STEEP CLIMB, THEN IT CONTINUED STRAIGHT AHEAD AND CRASHED. THEY REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING UNTIL IMPACT. BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK ELECTRIC LINES AND TREES. THE LOOSE END OF AN ELECTRIC WIRE HAD THE APPEARANCE OF BEING CUT AND SEVERAL TREE LIMBS WERE FOUND WITH DIAGONAL SLASH MARKS. THE WITNESSES ESTIMATED THAT THE VISIBILITY WAS ABOUT 3 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, A FEW MINUTES LATER, LOW CEILING AND VISIBILITY WITH FOG WERE REPORTED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time03:30 CST
Nearest AirportMills Ranch (0nm N)
Runway31
Runway Length1600 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20F
Tail NumberN7761M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHampton Indus
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-BEF · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind310° @ 5 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data