# NTSB CHI84FA153: Mooney M20C, N7899V, Gary, IN, April 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1984, 23:27 local (Apr 16, 1984, 05:27 UTC)
- Place: Gary, IN
- Coordinates: 41.599704, -87.409088 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5997&lon=-87.4091&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): 12393
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12393/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA153

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - pitot/static system - cracked (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,major repair - poor, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

VFR PLT RECEIVED 2 WX BRIEFINGS, FILED AN IFR FLT PLAN AND DEPARTED IN NIGHT IFR CONDITIONS. APRX 1 MIN AFTER CONTACTING CHICAGO ARTCC PLT REPORTED HE WAS HAVING 'PROBLEMS.' APRX 1 MIN LATER PLT REPORTED, 'NINE NINE VICTOR, I'M BREAKING UP.' ACFT WRECKAGE WAS FOUND NEXT DAY. ACCORDING TO PLT'S WIFE AND AN ASSOC, THE PLT HAD FLOWN IFR BEFORE. ANNUAL INSPECTION OF ACFT WAS COMPLETED ON 4/9/84. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED A CRACK IN THE PITOT TUBE LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7899V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7899V-1989-07-06), registration cancelled 1989-07-06, S/N 2861 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20C2861
- Airframe hours: 2148
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Earie D. Patterson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 1983, 90 hours before
- Destination: LUK, CINCINNATI, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GYY, Gary Muni.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,188 total, 76 in this make and model, 69 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MDW, 17 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 19840415013649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840415013649A), Apr 15, 1984: Mooney M20C, Gary, IN, Destroyed. VFR pilot filed and flew IFR. Crashed shortly after takeoff. Only discrepancy, crack in pitot tube line.

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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