# NTSB ATL86LA013: Mooney M20E, N5959Q, Meridian, MS, October 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1985, 19:18 local (Oct 28, 1985, 00:18 UTC)
- Place: Meridian, MS
- Coordinates: 32.380741, -88.710174 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3807&lon=-88.7102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7027
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7027/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA013

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command
  - weather condition - rain (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - terrain condition - ground
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING BEFORE TAKE-OFF AND WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR A FLIGHT TO CHATTANOOGA, TN. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VFR CONDITIONS AND ATTEMPTED A PRECISION APPROACH. WHILE BEING VECTORED FOR THE APPROACH THE PILOT BECAME DISORIENTED AND CRASHED 4 MILES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5959Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5959Q-2013-04-25), registration cancelled 2013-04-25, S/N 841, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 841
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A386 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jesse D. Farr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PFN, PANAMA CITY, FL
- Destination: CHA, CHATTANOOGA, TN
- Airport: NMM, Mccain Fld

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEI, 4 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 19851027054189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851027054189A), Oct 27, 1985: Mooney M20E, Meridian, MS, Substantial damage. Unable to remain VFR. Received vectors for a gca approach. Then lost vacuum source to gyros and impacted the ground

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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