# NTSB CHI84FA027: Mooney M20E, N7144U, Newark, IN, October 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1983, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Newark, IN
- Location: 39.1289° N, 86.8072° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Newark, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1289&lon=-86.8072&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12372
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12372/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA027

## 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 - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD BEEN RECENTLY PURCHASED BY THE PLT & THIS WAS THE 2ND LEG OF A 3 LEG TRIP WHICH HAD ORIGINALLY DEPARTED HICKORY, NC. TWO WITNESSES LOCATED ABOUT 5 MI SSE OF THE ACCIDENT SITE OBSERVED THE ACFT. ONE WITNESS STATED THE VISIBILITY WAS LESS THAN 1 MI & THERE WAS LOW CLOUD COVER IN THE ENTIRE AREA. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING STRAIGHT & LEVEL 400-600 FT AGL. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK A RIDGE LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7144U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7144U-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 383, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 383
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Henry Witte
- Registered owner: Ronald R. Marshall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1983
- Departed: M54, LEBANON, TN
- Destination: IND, INDIANAPOLIS, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,673 total, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F
- Observed at: BMG, 10 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 19831024055359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831024055359A), Oct 24, 1983: Mooney M20E, Newark, IN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into the side of a tree covered hill while scud running in low ceiling and fog. Advised to stay on ground.

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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