# NTSB ATL83FA091: Mooney M-20A, N8146E, Prattville, AL, January 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1983, 12:58 local (18:58 UTC)
- Place: Prattville, AL
- Coordinates: 32.509971, -86.560295 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5100&lon=-86.5603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5886
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5886/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA091

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - wing,spar - deteriorated (cause)
  - wing,spar - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,major repair - improper, other person (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - wing,spar - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE LEFT WING SEPARATED AS THE PLT BEGAN A PULL-UP AFTER A LOW PASS. THE SEPARATION POINT WAS IN THE WING ROOT WHERE THEMAIN SPAR HAD BEEN SECURED TO THE FUSELAGE WITH A METAL BRACKET. A BUTT SPLICE HAD BEEN MADE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE WING SPAR. THE FRACTURE AREA AT THE ROOT END OF THE MAIN WING SPAR WAS SOFT, DAMP & DISCOLORED COMPARED TO OTHER WOOD IN THE AREA. THE BUTT JOINT WAS LATER DETERMINED AS HAVING NO CAPABILITY FOR TRANSFERRING AXIAL STRESSES. THIS REPAIR WAS NOT DONE UNDER SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED MECHANIC. THE ACFT HAD OPERATED 40 HRS SINCE THE ANNUAL INSPECTION DATED 6/8/82. AD76-15-1 (INSPECTION OF THE WOOD WING) REQUIRES THAT THE WOOD WING BE INSPECTED IAW MOONEY SB M20-170A.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8146E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8146E-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 1417, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20A
- Registry model: [Mooney M20A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20a) (registry code 5870204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1417
- Airframe hours: 2352
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William Laine Hobbie II
- Registered owner: Aloft Aerial Applicators Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 1982, 40 hours before
- Departed: AUBURN, AL
- Airport: 1A9, Autauga Conty

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 281 total, 15 in this make and model, 227 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGM, 10 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 19830129001609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830129001609A), Jan 29, 1983: Mooney M20A, Prattville, AL, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Left wing separated on a pull up from a low pass near a friends home. Failure at wing root due to decayed wood.

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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