# NTSB CHI83LA078: Mooney M20A, N8343E, Ashkum, IL, January 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 9, 1983, 17:25 local (23:25 UTC)
- Place: Ashkum, IL
- Coordinates: 40.870689, -87.950225 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8707&lon=-87.9502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12065
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12065/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA078

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A PLOWED FIELD DURING A FERRY FLIGHT BECAUSE OF LOWERING CEILING AND DARKNESS,DURING THE LANDING THE GEAR COLLAPSED FROM OVERLOAD. THE PILOT WAS DELAYED IN HIS DEPARTURE FOR MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE.INCREASING CLOUDS AND DARKNESS AND HIS INABILITY TO LOCATE TWO OF HIS ALTERNATES PUT HIM INTO A SITUATION AND HE ELECTEDTO LAND OFF AIRPORT IN AN OPEN FIELD RATHER THAN RISK FURTHER FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8343E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8343E-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 1521, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20A
- Registry model: [Mooney M20A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20a) (registry code 5870204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5121
- Airframe hours: 2996
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: William Close
- Registered owner: Roy D. Close
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 3BB, TROY, MI
- Destination: 5K1, PALMYRA, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,011 total, 332 in this make and model, 1,911 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830109000339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830109000339A), Jan 9, 1983: Mooney M20A, Ashkum, IL, Substantial damage. Off course and getting dark with worsening weather. Elected to land in an open field. Rough ground collapsed gear.

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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