# NTSB ATL81FA111: Mooney M20C, N1278X, Thomasville, NC, August 29, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 29, 1981
- Place: Thomasville, NC · THOMASVILLE, NC
- Location: 35.8813° N, 80.0815° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Thomasville, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8813&lon=-80.0815&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 22, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124629
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FA111
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FA111

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1871  81/8/29    THOMASVILLE,NC      MOONEY M20C         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 62, 2000
        TIME - 1335                    N1278X              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 667 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PRIVATE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          HIGH POINT,NC               RETURN                       ALBEMARLE,NC
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - OPERATED CARELESSLY
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: UNMARKED OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- STRUCK UNMARKED WIRES,37FT AGL,NR END OF PVT STRIP.PLT PREVIOUSLY ADVISED OF WIRE LOCATION.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1278X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1278X-1982-05-06), registration cancelled 1982-05-06, S/N 2678 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Private

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.

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