# NTSB CHI90DER06: Mooney M20C, N9468V, Webster, WI, August 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1990, 01:43 local (07:43 UTC)
- Place: Webster, WI
- Coordinates: 45.779533, -92.380805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7795&lon=-92.3808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14490
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DER06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14490/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DER06

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE DARK NIGHT, THE PILOT'S ALCOHOL IMPAIRMENT, AND HIS NIGHT FLYING RESTRICTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(visual deficiency), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PILOT WAS REPORTED MISSING APRX 4 DAYS AFTER HE HAD DEPARTED FOR MADELINE ISLAND. AN AIR SEARCH WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL IN LOCATING THE AIRPLANE AND PILOT. ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER, ON 11/17/90, THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND. THE AIRPLANE HAD IMPACTED THE GROUND AT A HIGH IMPACT ANGLE AND AT A HIGH IMPACT SPEED. THE PILOT'S WIFE TOLD INVESTIGATORS THAT HE 'LOVED TO GO TO MADELINE ISLAND AND DRINK.' WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PILOT WAS LAST SEEN IN A BAR AT 0100 CDT, AND THAT HE APPEARED TO BE QUITE INTOXICATED. THE PILOT ASKED SEVERAL PEOPLE FOR A RIDE TO THE AIRPORT, BUT NONE RECALLED SEEING HIM LEAVE THE BAR. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT OBSERVED AT THE MADELINE ISLAND AIRPORT LATER THAT MORNING. THE PILOT'S MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HAD A LIMITATION AGAINST NIGHT FLYING DUE TO COLOR BLINDNESS AND REQUIRED CORRECTIVE LENSES FOR NEAR VISION. THERE WERE NO GLASSES LOCATED IN THE WRECKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9468V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9468V-2013-09-11), registration cancelled 2013-09-11, S/N 700059, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (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: 700059
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wilbur F. Nehring
- Departed: WI32, MADELINE ISLAND, WI
- Destination: RZN, SIREN, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 2,200 total, 2,200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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