# NTSB CHI74FEV53: Mooney M20C, N9251M, Watseka, IL, May 27, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: May 27, 1974
- Place: Watseka, IL · WATSEKA, IL
- Location: 40.7751° N, 87.7304° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Watseka, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7751&lon=-87.7304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125828
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI74FEV53
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74FEV53

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1276  74/5/27    WATSEKA,ILL         MOONEY M20C         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 43, 797
        TIME - 0450                    N9251M              PX-  0  0  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 227 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-MINOR        OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SHAG BARK RLA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WATSEKA,ILL                 HILLSDALE,MICH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRFRAME - FUSELAGE: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY SECURED
        REMARKS- PLT DIVERTED ATTN TO R SEAT BELT IN RETRACT LEVER CATCH IN FLOOR.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9251M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9251M), registered now, S/N 3451, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Airport: Shag Bark Rla

## 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 19740527014059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740527014059A), May 27, 1974: Mooney M20C, Watseka, IL, Substantial damage. Plt diverted attn to r seat belt in retract lever catch in floor.

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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