# NTSB CHI92FA195: Mooney M20K, N231FW, Oconto Falls, WI, July 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1992, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Oconto Falls, WI
- Coordinates: 44.870182, -88.140586 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8702&lon=-88.1406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15296
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA195
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15296/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA195

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS DURING A LOW PASS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF THE 69-YEAR-OLD PILOT WERE VISITING AT HIS COTTAGE OVER THE FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY.  THE PILOT'S STATED INTENTION WAS TO FLY HIS AIRPLANE TO PICK UP HIS GIRLFRIEND.  THE FRIENDS REPORTED THEY OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE FLY 'LOW OVER THE BACK YARD IT STARTED GOING UP...AGAIN AFTER HE GOT OUT OF SIGHT...WE ALL HEARD LOUD BANGING, CRACKLING NOISES...'  THE FRIENDS/RELATIVES REPORTED THE PILOT HAD MADE LOW PASSES OVER THE COTTAGE ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, BUT HE SEEMED LOWER THAN USUAL ON THIS PASS.  THEY STATED: 'WE THOUGHT HE WAS PLAYING A JOKE ON US POSSIBLY WITH FIRE CRACKERS...'  DAMAGE TO TREES AND WRECKAGE DEBRIS REVEALED THE AIRPLANES RIGHT WING IMPACTED A TREE ABOUT 75 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.  THE OUTBOARD SECTION OF THE RIGHT WING SEPARATED AND THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED THROUGH THE TREES, COMING TO REST INVERTED.  POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N231FW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N231FW-1995-05-17), registration cancelled 1995-05-17, S/N 250228 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20K
- Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-0228
- Airframe hours: 1525
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-GB 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Baldwin, Mark
- Registered owner: Baldwin, Mark
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1992, 6 hours before
- Departed: OCQ, OCONTO, WI
- Destination: SUE, STURGEON BAY, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,109 total, 500 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRB, 30 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 19920703023769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920703023769A), Jul 3, 1992: Mooney M20K, Oconto Falls, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed into trees after buzzing a friends cottage. No medical due to wearing a pacemaker.

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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