# NTSB BFO92FA048: Mooney M20M, N9136J, Youngs Bottom, WV, March 27, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1992, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Youngs Bottom, WV
- Location: 38.4623° N, 81.4265° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Youngs Bottom, WV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4623&lon=-81.4265&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11721
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92FA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11721/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA048

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT DECISION TO CONTINUE FLIGHT IN ICING CONDITION WHICH RESULTED IN DEGRADED AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE, INADEQUATE AIRSPEED, AND AERODYNAMIC STALL. A RELATED FACTOR IS THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE EVALUATION OF THE WEATHER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - aircraft performance - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS BEING VECTORED AND SEQUENCED FOR AN ILS APPROACH, AND WAS DESCENDED FROM 9000 TO 3000 FT MSL. HE WAS HANDLED BY CHARLESTON (CRW) APPROACH CONTROL FOR ABOUT 20 MIN; SEVERAL PILOTS IN RADIO CONTACT WITH CRW REPORTED AIRFRAME ICING CONDITIONS IN THE AREA. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT WHETHER OR NOT HE WAS ENCOUNTERING ICING. SHORTLY AFTER THE PILOT WAS VECTORED ONTO THE APPROACH COURSE, THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER REPORTED HE WAS 2 MI SOUTH OF COURSE AND 300 FT BELOW THE ASSIGNED ALTITUDE. THE CONTROLLER INSTRUCTED THE PILOT TO CLIMB. THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED, AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE CONTROLLER LOST RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WITH THE PILOT. WITNESSES SAW THE AIRPLANE DESCEND AND INDICATED THE WINGS WERE 'ROCKING.' WITNESSES REPORTED THE WEATHER AS A LOW OVERCAST WITH FREEZING RAIN. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. WITNESSES REPORTED 'CHUNKS OF ICE' AROUND THE WRECKAGE, AND ONE WITNESS STATED THERE WAS ICE ALONG THE THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE LEFT WING LEADING EDGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9136J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9136J-1993-11-29), registration cancelled 1993-11-29, S/N 270064 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20M
- Registry model: [Mooney M20M](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20m) (registry code 5870222) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-0064
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-AF1A 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cephas W. Jackson, Jr., Md
- Registered owner: Cephas W. Jackson, Jr., Md
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: LIT, LITTLE ROCK, AK
- Destination: CRW, CHARLESTON, WV
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRW, 999 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 19920327007709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920327007709A), Mar 27, 1992: Mooney M20M, Charleston, WV, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Off ILS course. Vectors for missed approach. Descended into trees. Freezing rain in area. Heavy ice on aircraft.

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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