# NTSB ATL88FA131: Mooney M20G, N3638N, Jasper, GA, April 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1988, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Jasper, GA
- Coordinates: 34.45927, -84.419342 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4593&lon=-84.4193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7594
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88FA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7594/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA131

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE DEPG BLAIRSVILLE, THE PLT REQD THE CURRENT ATLANTA WX FOR THE DEKALB-PEACHTREE ARPT & FOR AN AFTERNOON OUTLOOK. HE TOLD THE BRIEFER THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A PREVIOUS WX BRIEFING. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FORECAST WAS FOR INSTRUMENT CONDS UNTIL NOON WITH A CHANCE OF OVERCAST SKIES AT 1500 FT. HE DEPARTED BLAIRSVILLE AT 1210 EST WITH INTENTIONS OF FOLLOWING HIGHWAYS TO THE ATLANTA AREA. A PERSON, WHO WAS DRIVING A CAR BETWEEN BLAIRSVILLE & THE SUBSEQUENT CRASH SITE, SAW A MOONEY FLYING IN & OUT OF FOG AT ABOUT 150' AGL. THERE WAS RAIN, LOW CEILING & POOR VIS ALONG THAT ROUTE. WHEN THE ACFT DID NOT ARRIVE AT THE DESTN, A SEARCH WAS BEGUN. THE ACFT WAS FND WHERE IT HAD CRASHED ON RISING, WOODED TERRAIN ON MT OGLETHORPE AT AN ELEV OF ABOUT 3290'. AN EXAM REVEALED THE ACFT WAS IN LEVEL FLT JUST BEFORE IMPACT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. ALTHOUGH THE PLT WAS INSTRUMENT RATED, HE HAD NO RECENT INSTRUMENT FLT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3638N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3638N-2012-10-09), registration cancelled 2012-10-09, S/N 680020, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20G
- Registry model: [Mooney M-20G](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m-20g) (registry code 5870216) (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: 20G680020
- Airframe hours: 2039
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles W. Spikes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1988, 5 hours before
- Departed: 46A, BLAIRSVILLE, GA
- Destination: 4A0, STOCKBRIDGE, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,599 total, 1,365 in this make and model, 1,499 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGE, 30 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 19880401060389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880401060389A), Apr 1, 1988: Mooney M20G, Jasper, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into the side of a fog obscured ridge. Was trying to follow highways in mountain terrain, low clouds, and rain

## Other investigations on N3638N (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA69F0463](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69F0463), Feb 27, 1969: Mooney M20G (N3638N), Lithonia, GA, substantial damage

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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