# NTSB CHI84LA045: Mooney M-20K, N9644B, Buffalo, MN, November 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1983, 19:20 local (Nov 18, 1983, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Buffalo, MN
- Coordinates: 45.169406, -93.859031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1694&lon=-93.8590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12496
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12496/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA045

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING AN APPROACH ON A DARK NIGHT. THE WEATHER WAS VMC AND THE PLT CANCELED HIS IFR FLT PLAN 15 MILES EAST OF THE ARPT. THE PLT APPROACHED THE ARPT IN A NORMAL VFR PATTERN BUT ON FINAL APPROACH HE GOT AN ILLUSION FROM THE LIGHTS THAT HE WAS CLOSER THAN HE ACTUALLY WAS ACCORDING TO HIS STATEMENT. BECAUSE OF THE SHORT RWY (2600 FT) HE MADE A LOW APPROACH AND CONTACTED TREES AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9644B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20K
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-0527
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tri-State Drilling & Eqpt Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BWG, BOWLING GREEN, KY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 8Y2, Buffalo Muni, runway 17, 2,600 × 200 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,779 total, 509 in this make and model, 1,682 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -2 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 32 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 19831117060029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831117060029A), Nov 17, 1983: Mooney M20K, Buffalo, MN, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed into trees on final approach for night landing.

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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