# NTSB ATL88LA090: Mooney M20F, N7448V, Birmingham, AL, February 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1988, 19:20 local (Feb 15, 1988, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Birmingham, AL
- Coordinates: 33.609718, -86.759567 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6097&lon=-86.7596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7703
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7703/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA090

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - descent - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES ON A HILL AT NIGHT, WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH. THE PLT RPTD THAT HE 'EVIDENTLY GOT TOO LOW' ON THE APPROACH. THE VISIBILITY WAS 10 MILES. THE HILLY TERRAIN IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS UNDEVELOPED, AND HAD NO ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING ON IT TO PROVIDE VISUAL CUES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7448V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7448V-1989-01-12), registration cancelled 1989-01-12, S/N 221225 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22 1225
- Airframe hours: 1977
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: W. C. Cullipher & Son
- Registered owner: W C. Cullipher And Son
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 1987
- Departed: DAB, DAYTONA BEACH, FL
- Destination: BHM, DYERSBURG, TN
- Airport: BHM, Birmingham, runway 18, 4,856 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 952 total, 952 in this make and model, 809 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 14 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19880214002509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880214002509A), Feb 14, 1988: Mooney M20F, Birmingham, AL, Substantial damage. Struck trees on a hill on final approach. No lights on hill and no VASI. Pilot unfamiliar with hills in area.

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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