# NTSB ATL91FA020: Mooney M20F, N6858V, Pageland, SC, January 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1991, 14:27 local (19:27 UTC)
- Place: Pageland, SC
- Coordinates: 32.599433, -81.150032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5994&lon=-81.1500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8299
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91FA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8299/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA020

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE MALFUNCTION OF A GYRO INSTRUMENT (PROBABLY THE ATTITUDE INDICATOR).

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - flight/nav instruments - undetermined (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTING ON AN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED A SYSTEM PROBLEM AND REQUESTED CLEARANCE BACK TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT.  SOON THEREAFTER, THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY BECAUSE HE WAS EXPERIENCING A GYRO PROBLEM. NO FURTHER COMMUNICATION WAS RECEIVED FROM N6858V.  INSTRUMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES HEARD THE AIRPLANE FLYING IN CLOUDS BEFORE IT CRASHED.  REPORTEDLY, IT MADE AN 'S' TURN, THEN IT WAS OBSERVED BELOW THE CLOUDS, SECONDS BEFORE IMPACT.  THE AIRPLANE WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED DURING IMPACT.  AN EXAM OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY OBVIOUS MALFUNCTION OR CONTROL FAILURE. EXAMINATION OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND VACUUM SYSTEM COMPONENTS FAILED TO INDICATE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. BOTH GYROS SHOWED SIGNS OF ROTATION, AND THE VACUUM PUMP SUSTAINED IMPACT DAMAGE.  A LOW LEVEL OF ETHANOL WAS DETECTED IN THE PILOT'S LIVER TISSUE, BUT NONE WAS FOUND IN KIDNEY TISSUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6858V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6858V-1991-02-25), registration cancelled 1991-02-25, S/N 221251 (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: 72-1251
- Airframe hours: 1985
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Blackwell, Billy
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: EQY, MONROE, NC
- Destination: CRE, GRAND STRAND, SC
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 745 total, 210 in this make and model, 595 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Observed at: CLT, 35 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 19910111000349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910111000349A), Jan 11, 1991: Mooney M20F, Pageland, SC, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Reported ammeter discharge and no gyro. Lost control,spiral dived to impact. No defects found. Had vacuum standby.

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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