# NTSB CHI83FA213: Mooney M-20-J-201, N201GG, Bloomington, IL, May 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1983, 17:38 local (22:38 UTC)
- Place: Bloomington, IL
- Location: 40.4758° N, 88.9699° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bloomington, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4758&lon=-88.9699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11992
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11992/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA213

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, other
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, A WITNESS HEARD THE ACFT, THEN SAW IT FOR A SHORT TIME THRU AN OPENING IN THE CLOUDS. IN HIS OPINION, IT WAS HEADING DIRECTLY INTO A THUNDERSTORM, WHICH CONCERNED HIM. HE SAID THAT RAIN WAS FALLING, AND ABOUT 10 MIN LATER, THE THUNDERSTORM PASSED OVER HIS POSITION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE LEADING EDGES OF BOTH WINGS WERE COMPRESSED BACK IN AN 'ACCORDIAN' MANNER AT AN ANGLE OF ABOUT 45 DEG, WHICH WAS INDICATIVE OF IMPACTING IN A 45 DEG, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THERE WAS A SMELL OF FUEL IN THE AREA & NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WERE FOUND. A METEOROLOGICAL STUDY SHOWED THERE WERE VIDEO INTEGRATOR & PROCESSOR (VIP) LEVEL 2 & LEVEL 4 RADAR ECHOS FROM THE THUNDERSTORMS & PROBABLE SEVERE TURBULENCE. A BOTTLE CONTAINING 600 MG OF MOTRIN (IBUPROFEN) WAS FOUND IN THE ACFT, BUT A MEDICAL EXAM REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PHYSIOLOGICAL PROBLEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N201GG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N201GG-2012-08-22), registration cancelled 2012-08-22, S/N 24-0212, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20-J-201
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0212
- Airframe hours: 905
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ralph J. Quest
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 1982, 99 hours before
- Departed: 12C, ROCHELLE, IL
- Destination: TUL, TULSA, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BMI, 4 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 19830513019029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830513019029A), May 13, 1983: Mooney M20J, Bloomington, IL, Destroyed. Aircraft was observed flying directly toward a thunderstorm. Severe turbulence was reported near thunderstorm.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.