# NTSB ATL85LA074: Mooney M20J, N201FR, Birmingham, AL, December 31, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1984, 17:31 local (23:31 UTC)
- Place: Birmingham, AL
- Coordinates: 33.510181, -86.740844 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5102&lon=-86.7408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6731/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA074

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - in-flight planning/decision - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED AFTER TAKEOFF FROM RWY 23 AT 400 FT AGL A HORN SOUNDED. A STUDENT PLT PASSENGER STATED THE MARKER BEACON, AND STALL WARNING HORN CAME ON. THE PLT HOWEVER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE HORN. THE PLT LOWERED THE NOSE OF THE ACFT, BEGAN A DESCENT AND TURNED ONTO A LEFT DOWNWIND. PWR INDICATIONS AT THIS TIME WERE 2300 RPM WITH 23' MP. PLT STATED THAT THE ENG THEN QUIT BUT WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS PUMPED A PWR SURGE WAS EXPERIENCED. THE ACFT WAS FLOWN THROUGH FINAL APCH FOR RWY 23 AND CRASHED OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 36. NO FUEL CONTAMINATION WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION AND THE ENG OPERATED AT MAX RPM ON A TEST STAND AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N201FR (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0207
- Airframe hours: 2306
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Birmingham Associated Investor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1984, 105 hours before
- Departed: BHM, BIRMINGHAM, AL
- Airport: BHM, Birmingham Municipal, runway 23, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 297 total, 65 in this make and model, 274 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 160° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM, 1 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 19841231069159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841231069159A), Dec 31, 1984: Mooney M20J, Birmingham, AL, Substantial damage. Returned for landing because of a horn. Turned beyond runway on final. Impacted the ground. No malfunction found.

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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