Mooney M20K N252DD

Summary

On 20 November 2007 at about 21:55 local time, a Mooney M20K registered N252DD, operated by Grab Air Inc., was involved in an accident near Maine, New York, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 November 2007 at 21:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Maine, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM)

Coordinates

42.2289, -75.9789

Aircraft

Mooney M20K

Registration

N252DD

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Grab Air Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Binghamton → Albany

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

NYC08FA039

1 person died.

The pilot's spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent collision with trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

**Brief updated 1/5/2010** After refueling, the instrument-rated pilot taxied to the end of runway 34, was issued a clearance to turn right on course, and was cleared for takeoff. The airplane leveled off over the runway, accelerated, and then climbed into an indefinite ceiling. After the takeoff, the pilot was issued a frequency change, which was acknowledged. However, the pilot was never heard to check in on the new frequency. The airplane was airborne for approximately 19 seconds and reached a peak altitude of 364 feet above field elevation. It impacted terrain approximately 3/4 of a mile northeast of the airport. The accident occurred during the hours of dusk. A weather observation taken about 6 minutes before the accident included a reported visibility of 1/4-mile in fog, and an indefinite ceiling at 100 feet above ground level. No evidence of any preimpact malfunctions of the airplane, engine, flight instruments, or autopilot were discovered. The circumstances of the accident and flight path of the airplane during the flight are consistent with spatial disoriention of the pilot.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.