# NTSB ATL82FA032: Mooney M20G, N3688N, Henderson, NC, January 10, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1982, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Henderson, NC
- Coordinates: 36.320339, -78.410545 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3203&lon=-78.4105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 10, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71009
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71009/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA032

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command
  - incapacitation(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - not understood, passenger (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS WIFE WERE AT 6000 FT ON A VFR CROSS-COUNTRY WHEN HE BECAME UNCONSCIOUS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A WING LEVELER AND CONTINUED IN LEVEL FLIGHT WHILE THE PILOT'S WIFE ATTENDED TO HIM. WHEN THE PILOT'S WIFE COULD DO NOTHING MORE FOR HIM, SHE REMOVED HIS GLASSES, WHICH HAD THE MICROPHONE AND EARPHONE ATTACHED, AND PUT THEM ON. SHE CALLED FOR HELP, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RECEIVE A REPLY. SHE STATED THAT THE EARPHONE DID NOT FIT HER EAR AND THE GLASSES WERE TOO WIDE. SHE WAS NOT A PILOT, BUT SHE MANAGED TO CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT WHILE SHE LOOKED FOR AN AIRPORT. AFTER A WHILE, SHE ELECTED TO LAND IN A FIELD. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE SHORT OF THE INTENDED LANDING AREA. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO AN EMPTY TANK. THE OTHER TANK STILL CONTAINED FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3688N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3688N-1988-04-06), registration cancelled 1988-04-06, S/N 680037 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20G
- Registry model: [Mooney M-20G](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m-20g) (registry code 5870216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 680037
- Airframe hours: 2651
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chesapeake Storage Corporation
- Registered owner: Chesapeake Storage Corporation
- Departed: RWI, ROCKY MOUNT, NC
- Destination: TBR, STATESBORO, GA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,828 total, 20 in this make and model, 3,447 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 37 statute miles
- Temperature: 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 37 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820110000449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820110000449A), Jan 10, 1982: Mooney M20G, Henderson, NC, Destroyed. Pilot suffered fatal heart attack enroute. Wife landed airplane after fuel tank ran dry. Previous heart disease.

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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