Mooney M20F N2965L

Summary

On 20 December 1997 at about 16:55 local time, a Mooney M20F registered N2965L was involved in an accident near Safford, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 December 1997 at 16:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Safford, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

32.8104, -109.3592

Aircraft

Mooney M20F

Registration

N2965L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tucson → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX98LA059

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's poor in-flight judgement and intentional flight into known adverse weather conditions. Related factors were, mountainous terrain, rain and fog.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot tookoff for his destination after he had received a weather briefing that indicated the area was going to be marginal VFR with rain and snow showers. The pilot decided to try and make it through after spotting low lying clouds to the north of their intended route. He followed a paved road and thought he could remain clear of clouds. After he turned around a corner of a mountain he inadvertently entered the clouds. As he began a climbing left turn the aircraft hit a hill and small tree. The second pilot insisted they turn around three times, to no avail.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.