Mooney M20F N3424N

Summary

On 11 December 1996 at about 21:20 local time, a Mooney M20F registered N3424N was involved in an accident near Wellsville, New York, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 December 1996 at 21:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Wellsville, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Wellsville Municipal (ELZ)

Coordinates

42.1191, -77.9397

Aircraft

Mooney M20F

Registration

N3424N

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Erie → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

IAD97LA031

2 people died.

Descent below the published minimum descent altitude followed by collision with the surrounding terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the destination. After picking up another passenger and refueling, the pilot departed for their destination. The surviving passenger stated that the pilot was utilizing his Global Positioning System (GPS) en route to help track their route to their destination. The destination airport was equipped with a Localizer approach to the runway. The passenger reported that there was no indication from the pilot that anything was wrong with the airplane, the engine sounded good and there was no ice on the airplane. As they approached the airport, the surviving passenger heard the pilot state, 'I can see the ground' and the pilot gave the thumbs up signal. This statement was followed by the front right seat passenger exclaiming, 'Look out for the trees, pull up, pull up!' There was no power application and shortly afterwards the airplane collided with the trees.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.