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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

September 9, 2003 · Mooney M20A · N1072B

Rockford, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 9, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Rockford, OH
Aircraft
Mooney M20A
Tail Number
N1072B
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC03LA198

The airplane was owned by the pilot's father-in-law, who maintained a 1,400-foot grass runway at his residence. A witness observed the airplane circling above the runway. He stated that the airplane appeared to be attempting to land, when it struck a utility wire and descended into the ground. The witness added that he did not hear any "sputtering" or unusual engine noises prior to the accident. The airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire. Examination of airman certificate records revealed that the pilot did not posses any airman certificates. Both the pilot and owner failed to provide any information regarding the circumstances of the accident, or the airworthiness history of the airplane, despite requests by both the Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude/clearance, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a utility wire. The owner's improper decision to allow the airplane to be operated by an uncertificated pilot was also causal.

Full Narrative

On September 9, 2003, about 1440 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20A, N1072B, was destroyed when it struck utility wires and impacted the ground, while on approach to land at a private airstrip in Rockford, Ohio. The uncertificated pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was owned by the pilot's father-in-law, who maintained a 1,400-foot grass runway at his residence. A witness observed the airplane circling above the runway. In a written statement, the witness stated: "[The airplane] flew low over the pond like he wanted to land, then circled back north around/over the woods. He then came back over the hill of the golf course just north and west of the landing strip. It looked like he was trying to land. I then saw the plane hit the utility wire and nose dive into the ground. All the wires were shaking...." The witness added that he did not hear any "sputtering" or unusual engine noises prior to the accident. The airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire. Examination of airman certificate records by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any certificate information for the pilot. Both the pilot and owner failed to provide any information regarding the circumstances of the accident, or the airworthiness history of the airplane, despite requests by the Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration. The pilot did not respond to two letters from the Safety Board which requested he complete an NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report Form.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:40 EDT
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20A
Tail NumberN1072B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · None · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data