Mooney M20 N5231B

Summary

On 15 November 1997 at about 14:59 local time, a Mooney M20 registered N5231B, operated by John A. Marshall, was involved in an accident near Big Bear, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 November 1997 at 14:59

Classification

Accident

Location

Big Bear, California, United States

Nearest airport

Big Bear City (L35)

Coordinates

34.2594, -116.8399

Aircraft

Mooney M20

Registration

N5231B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

John A. Marshall

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX98FA039

2 people died.

VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (VMC), which led to spatial disorientation, loss of aircraft control, and an uncontrolled descent into terrain. Related factors were: the adverse weather conditions, the pilot's lack of instrument experience, overconfidence of the pilot in his personal ability, and possible pilot distraction due to an unlatched baggage door, which was not properly secured during preflight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The non-instrument rated pilot performed a preflight inspection, and taxied east to the approach end of runway 26, where he made an engine run-up. Weather at the airport was reported to be 200 feet overcast, visibility 3/4 mile with fog, and the wind calm. Witnesses indicated that to the east, they observed blue sky and the rising sun, while to the west and south, they observed low clouds and restricted visibility. The pilot elected to takeoff west on runway 26. Witnesses indicated that after takeoff, the airplane climbed into the clouds, and within 60 seconds, it descended from the clouds in a steep left bank. The airplane crashed on a mountainside, 0.8 miles from the airport, while in a nose low and steep left bank attitude. Impact occurred at an elevation of about 6,850 feet; elevation of the airport was 6,748 feet. The accident occurred 10 days after the pilot was issued a private pilot certificate. Examination of the wreckage revealed evidence of oil leakage in an aft direction on the airplane's belly and on the engine's exterior. Also, a puddle of oil was found on the hangar floor, below where the engine would have been, while the airplane was parked. However, no evidence of oil starvation, overheat distress signatures, or loss of engine power were found. The attitude indicator had a history of precession. The baggage compartment door of the airplane and the pilot's lap belt were found unlatched. No maintenance logs were located. The pilot's former flight instructor (CFI) reported that the pilot had 'tinkered' with the engine to stop oil leakage. Also, the CFI characterized the pilot as being an aggressive student.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.