# Accident 20030913024939A: Mooney M20C, Monticello, GA, September 13, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 13, 2003, 09:28 local time
- Place: Monticello, GA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: In Traffic Pattern-Circling
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.3303° N, 83.7497° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3303&lon=-83.7497&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2764W, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2764W-2013-08-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Mooney M20C (registry code 5870208, https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL03FA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03FA137) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030913024939A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) INSPECTOR'S STATEMENT: ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2003 AIRCRAFT N2764W DEPARTED JACKSON COUNTY AIRPORT, JEFFERSON, GEORGIA FOR GARVEY FIELD, A PRIVATE GRASS STRIP IN MONTICELLO, GEORGIA. ACCORDING TO MACON FLIGHT SERVICE, NO FLIGHT PLAN AND NO WEATHER REPORT WAS REQUESTED BY AIRCRAFT N2764W. THE FLIGHT OPERATED UNDER TITLE 14 CFR PART 91, AND VISUAL FLIGHT RULES. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED. THE PILOT'S CERTIFICATE SHOWS A PRIVATE LICENSE WITH NO INSTRUMENT RATING. ACCORDING TO A WITNESS WHO WAS WALKING IN THE AREA, THE VISIBILITY WAS RESTRICTED DUE TO HEAVY FOG. THE WITNESS STATED HE COULD HEAR, BUT BARELY SEE AN AIRCRAFT FLYING ABOVE HIM AT A LOW ALTITUDE. AFTER PASSING OVERHEAD THE AIRCRAFT HEADED TOWARD A WOODED HILL AND HE HEARD THE AIRCRAFT CRASH INTO THE WOODED AREA. THE TERRAIN APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE WEST OF GARVEY FIELD RISES RAPIDLY TO APPROXIMATELY 900 FEET. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE SHOWED THAT THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK SEVERAL LARGE DIAMETER TREES BEFORE COMING TO A REST APPROXIMATELY 40 YARDS FROM THE FIRST TREE IMPACT. THE CABIN OF THE FUSELAGE WAS OBSERVED WEDGED BETWEEN TWO TREES ON A HEADING OF APPROXIMATELY 220 DEGREES. THE PILOT RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES AND THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. ATLANTA AIR SALVAGE RECOVERED THE AIRCRAFT AND TOOK IT TO GRIFFIN, GEORGIA FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ATL03FA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03FA137), Sep 13, 2003: Mooney M-20C (N2764W), Monticello, GA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance and collision with trees. A factor was low ceiling.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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