# NTSB DEN02FA030: Mooney M20C, N1323D, Glenwood Sprngs, CO, March 11, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: March 10, 2002, 20:19 local (Mar 11, 2002, 03:19 UTC) - Place: Glenwood Sprngs, CO - Coordinates: 39.716667, -107.216667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7167&lon=-107.2167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 54344 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN02FA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54344/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54344 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN02FA030 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation, resulting in a collision with terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of an instrument rating and the dark night conditions. ## Analysis After visiting his girlfriend, the non-instrument rated private pilot took off in dark night visual meteorological conditions to return home. When he failed to arrive, a search was initiated and the wreckage was found 2 days later in deep snow in mountainous terrain. According to recorded radar data at two different sites, a target departed the airport and climbed to 13,900 feet msl and took up a direct heading toward what would have been the pilot's planned destination. Halfway there, the target made a wide circle to the left of approximately 450 degrees, followed immediately by a tight circle to the right of approximately 360 degrees. The difference in time and altitude between the last two radar "hits" 14 seconds and 3,000 feet, respectively, equates to a 12,857 foot per minute rate of descent. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 10, 2002, at 2019 mountain standard time, a Mooney M20C, N1323D, owned and operated by the pilot, was destroyed when it impacted terrain about 16 miles north-northeast of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being operated under Title 14 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Part 91. The flight originated at Kremmling, Colorado, approximately 1946, and was en route to Grand Junction, Colorado. According to a friend of the pilot who lived in Kremmling, she received a telephone call from him some time after 1700. He told her that his wife had left for Washington State to be with their daughter who was expecting a child soon, and he was hoping to fly over from Grand Junction that evening to see her. Approximately 1850, she received another telephone call from the pilot, telling her he was at the Kremmling Airport. She drove to the airport and, according to her statement, they sat in her car and made plans for the coming weekend. He told her that his trip from Grand Junction had been "pretty smooth" and his speed had been 125 mph, increasing to about 200 mph as he descended over the mountains. Prior to his departure, the pilot preflighted his airplane as "he always did." She said that he was in "a very good mood," and happy about being able to see her that weekend. She said he departed Kremmling between 1930 and 2000 to return to Grand Junction., When the pilot failed to arrive in Grand Junction, FAA was notified and an ALNOT (Alert Notification) was issued on March 11 at 2241. The ALNOT was cancelled on March 12 at 1747 when National Guard helicopters, aided by a weak ELT (emergency locator transmitter) signal, located the wreckage in mountainous terrain at a location of 30 degrees, 43.202' north latitude, and 107 degrees, 13.406' west longitude. CREW INFORMATION The 50-year-old pilot possessed a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating, dated June 29, 2001. He was not instrument rated. His third class airman medical certificated, dated March 7, 2001, contained the limitation: "Holder shall possess correcting glasses for near vision while exercising the privileges of his/her airman certificate." The pilot's logbook indicated the following (all times approximate due to arithmetical errors): Total time - 224.7 Pilot-in-command - 181.2 Airplane, single engine - 224.7 Mooney M20C - 29.9 Night - 19.1 Simulated instruments - 3.9 On December 18, 2001, the pilot was involved in a landing accident at Crested Butte, Colorado. No one was injured in the accident, but the airplane, a Piper PA-28-235, N8704W, was damaged beyond economical repair. In his logbook the pilot wrote, "Crashed plane on landing. Frozen left brake." With the insurance money, the pilot purchased N1323D. Between December 30, 2001, and January 21, 2002, he flew the airplane three different times, logging 4.8 hours as part of a complex airplane checkout. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The Mooney Aircraft Corporation, of Kerrville, Texas, manufactured N1323D, a model M20C (s/n 2681), in 1964. It was equipped with a Lycoming O-360-A1D engine (s/n L-4200-36), rated at 180 horsepower, and a McCauley 2-blade, all-metal, constant speed propeller (m/n 793969). According to the airplane maintenance records, an annual inspection was performed on the airplane on October 5, 2001, when it had accrued 3,572.4 hours time-in-service, and the engine had accrued 930.6 hours since major overhaul. A "pre-purchase" 100-hour inspection was performed on January 19, 2002. At that time, the airplane had accrued 3,602.0 hours time-in-service, and the engine had accrued 960.0 hours since major overhaul. The propeller was overhauled on October 21, 1997, after it had accrued 2,960.6 hours since new. The last 100-hour inspection on the propeller was recorded on August 20, 1998, at a total time of 3,006.71 hours. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Weather data retrieved from the Eagle County Regional, Rifle (stations nearest the accident site), and Grand Junction (destination station) AWOS's (Automated Weather Observatory Station) indicated visual meteorological conditions prevailed along the route of flight. According to data from the U.S. Naval Observatory, the sunset at 1811 and civil twilight ended at 1838. The moon was described as "waning crescent with 10% of the visible disk illuminated." WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Due to unfavorable weather conditions and snow depths, the on-scene investigation was postponed until May 13, 2002. At the beginning of a ground scar, aligned on a magnetic heading of 147 degrees, were green lens fragments. At the end of the scar was a crater containing the engine and propeller. From this point, the wreckage debris was spread in a fan-shaped pattern. On a magnetic heading of 154 degrees and approximately the 36 foot mark was the right wing. On a magnetic heading of 167 degrees and approximately the 60 foot mark was the cabin area. On a magnetic heading of 211 degrees and also at the 60-foot mark was the left wing. The cabin area and left wing were approximately 51 feet apart and on a magnetic heading of 211 degrees. A crushed tachometer was found in the wreckage. Disassembly of the tachometer revealed that it registered 0 rpm, and the hour totalizer read 63X3.48 hours. Cockpit examination revealed the throttle, mixture, and propeller controls were full forward, and the carburetor heat was closed. The auxiliary fuel boost pump was off. The right control wheel was over to the right, and the air vent was closed. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy was performed at Community Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado. FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, did a toxicological screen. According to CAMI's report, there was no evidence of carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, ethyl alcohol, or drugs. TESTS AND RESEARCH The Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) retrieved recorded National Track Analysis Program (NTAP) radar data. Most of the data came from a radar site located on top of Red Table Mountain, near Aspen, Colorado. The radar detected a target at 1946, departing the Kremmling area at 13,900 feet msl. The target took up a direct heading to Grand Junction, Colorado, 148 miles southwest of Kremmling. When the target was approximately 57 miles southwest of Kremmling, it made a wide turn to the left of approximately 450 degrees, followed immediately by a tight turn to the right of approximately 360 degrees. Radar contact was lost at 2019:19, when the target was at 13,500 feet msl (above mean sea level). NTAP data was also retrieved from a radar site located at Walker Field, Grand Junction, Colorado. Radar contact was lost at 2019:17, when the target was at 13,200 feet. A secondary return was detected at 2019:33 at 10,500 feet msl. The difference in time and altitude between the last contact recorded by the Red Table and Grand Junction radars was 14 seconds and 3,000 feet, respectively. Computing, this equates to a 12,857 foot per minute descent rate. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The friend of the pilot and her daughter-in-law gave written statements to the Kremmling Police Department. These statements were turned over to NTSB's investigator-in-charge. The daughter-in-law's statement completely outlined the relationship between her mother-in-law and the pilot. Other than the Federal Aviation Administration, there were no other parties to the investigation. The wreckage was released to the aircraft insurance adjuster on May 13, 2002. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause) - lack of certification, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1323D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1323D-2005-04-07), registration cancelled 2005-04-07, S/N 2681, built 1964 (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: 2681 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1B 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jerry W. Elliott - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 20V, Kremmling, CO - Destination: GJT, Grand Junction, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 29, 2001; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 225 total, 30 in this make and model, 181 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 300° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: EGE, 19 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 20020310003509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020310003509A), Mar 10, 2002: Mooney M20C, Glenwood Spring, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (.19) On March 10, 2002, at 2019 mountain standard time, a Mooney M20C, N1323D, owned and operated by the pilot, impacted terrain during a steep descent about… ## Docket (20 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54344. 5.0 MB in all. - Statement - Kara McGee (item 1, .PDF, 383 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399207&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20-%20Kara%20McGee-Redacted.PDF - Statement - Ruth McGee (item 2, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399209&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20-%20Ruth%20McGee-Redacted.PDF - NTAP Data - Red Table Mountain (item 3, .PDF, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170647&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTAP%20Data%20-%20Red%20Table%20Mountain-Master.PDF - NTAP Data - Grand Junction (item 4, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170643&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTAP%20Data%20-%20Grand%20Junction-Master.PDF - Plotted NTAP Data (Expanded View) (item 5, .PDF, 274 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170644&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Plotted%20NTAP%20Data%20(Expanded%20View)-Master.PDF - Aerial View of Plotted NTAP Data (item 6, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170645&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aerial%20View%20of%20Plotted%20NTAP%20Data-Master.PDF - Red Table Radar Data (Solid Line) Colated with Grand Junction Radar Data (item 7, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170646&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Red%20Table%20Radar%20Data%20(Solid%20Line)%20Colated%20with%20Grand%20Junction%20Radar%20Data-Master.PDF - Colated Radar Data from Red Table and Grand Junction Radars (item 8, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170648&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Colated%20Radar%20Data%20from%20Red%20Table%20and%20Grand%20Junction%20Radars-Master.PDF - Maps or Charts of Accident Area, Wreckage Diagrams (item 9, .PDF, 751 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170649&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20or%20Charts%20of%20Accident%20Area,%20Wreckage%20Diagrams-Master.PDF - Maps or Charts of Accident Area, Wreckage Diagrams (item 10, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170651&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20or%20Charts%20of%20Accident%20Area,%20Wreckage%20Diagrams-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 11, .PDF, 272 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170652&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Data from U.S. Naval Observatory (item 12, .PDF, 509 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170653&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Data%20from%20U.S.%20Naval%20Observatory-Master.PDF - Garfield County Sheriff's Report (item 13, .PDF, 334 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399210&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Garfield%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 14, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399211&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 15, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399212&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Aerial view of the accident site. (item 16, .PDF, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170657&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Aerial%20view%20of%20the%20accident%20site.-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Right wing and cabin area (left). Left wing is at far right. (item 17, .PDF, 146 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170658&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Right%20wing%20and%20cabin%20area%20(left).%20%20Left%20wing%20is%20at%20far%20right.-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Right wing and cabin area (foreground). Left wing is at far right (background). (item 18, .PDF, 205 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170659&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Right%20wing%20and%20cabin%20area%20(foreground).%20%20Left%20wing%20is%20at%20far%20right%20(background).-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Right wing and cabin area. (item 19, .PDF, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170660&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Right%20wing%20and%20cabin%20area.-Master.PDF - Photo 5 - Cabin area (foreground). Left wing is at left. (item 20, .PDF, 189 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170661&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20-%20Cabin%20area%20(foreground).%20%20Left%20wing%20is%20at%20left.-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.