Mooney M20E N9302M

Summary

On 29 July 2007 at about 04:31 local time, a Mooney M20E registered N9302M was involved in an accident near Tonasket, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 July 2007 at 04:31

Classification

Accident

Location

Tonasket, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

Tonasket Municipal (W01)

Coordinates

48.7247, -119.4656

Aircraft

Mooney M20E

Registration

N9302M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Oroville → Tonasket

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

SEA07FA218

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during initial climb following an aborted landing that resulted in a stall/spin. The pilot's misjudged speed and distance that resulted in a failure to attain a proper touchdown point was a factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was on a night visual approach to a 3,053 foot-long runway that was the intended destination for the flight. A witness, who was located approximately 50 feet from the runway, stated the airplane approached from the south and touched down well beyond the midpoint of the runway. Shortly after touching down, the airplane accelerated and the airplane became airborne. Approximately 0.25 miles off the departure end of the runway at an estimated altitude of 250 feet above ground level (agl), the airplane rolled left and impacted terrain in a nose-low attitude. The accident occurred approximately 28 minutes after sunset. Examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of a mechanical anomaly or failure. Toxicological samples from the pilot's blood detected diphenhydramine (a sedating antihistamine commonly known by the trade name Benadryl) at a level consistent with recent use. Diphenhydramine is used over-the-counter for allergies and as a sleep aid, and has been shown to impair the performance of complex cognitive and motor tasks at typical doses.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.