# NTSB ATL84FA292: Mooney M20J, N201RT, Lanett, AL, September 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1984, 10:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Lanett, AL
- Coordinates: 32.860309, -85.199882 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8603&lon=-85.1999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6303
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA292
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6303/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA292

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

COMMUNICATIONS WITH COLUMBUS APCH REVEALED PLT WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH AREA AND HAD DIFFICULITIES FINDING THE ARPT WITNESSES VIEWED ACFT ON FINAL FOR RWY 08 WITH LANDING GEAR EXTENDED. ACFT DESCRIBED AS BEING LOW AND SLOW. WITNESSES STATED ENGINE SOUNDS FLUCTUATED AND ACFT ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT. ACFT IMPACTED A WOODED AREA ABOUT 1/2 MILE WEST OR ARPT. ACFT WRECKAGE WAS CONFINED TO AN AREA APRX 60 FT DIAMETER. BROKEN LIMBS WERE OBSERVED IN TREE APRX 30 FT AGL AND ABOUT 32 FT WEST OF PRINCIPAL IMPACT POINT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N201RT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N201RT), registered now, S/N 24-1109 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 240117
- Engines: LYCOMING IO360A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Carey, Raymond J.
- Registered owner: Cruzan Chemicals, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 1984
- Departed: CLT, CHARLOTTE, NC
- Destination: 7A3, LANETT, AL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 7A3, Lanett Moni, runway 8, 3,150 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,550 total, 125 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CSG, 23 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 19840919049639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840919049639A), Sep 19, 1984: Mooney M20J, Lanett, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Witnesses heard engine sputter on final, aircraft entered steep descent into wooded area. Wreckage consumed by fire

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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