# NTSB DEN82FA039: Mooney M20E, N5755Q, Aspen, CO, March 4, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 4, 1982, 14:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Aspen, CO
- Coordinates: 39.189384, -106.820762 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1894&lon=-106.8208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69817
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82FA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69817/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FA039

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE ON TOP OF A 12,000 FOOT MOUNTAIN AFTER IT HAD DEPARTED ASPEN, EN ROUTE TO DENVER. THE AIRCRAFT SHOULD HAVE CLIMBED OVER THE MOUNTAIN WITHOUT PROBLEMS. THE PILOT ONLY REMEMBERS THE AIRSPEED DECAYING AND LOWERING FULL FLAPS PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH THE TREE. BOTH OCCUPANTS RECEIVED ONLY MINOR INJURIES DURING THE ACCIDENT BUT WERE NOT RESCUED FOR THREE DAYS.  THE PASSENGER DIED FROM HYPOTHERMIA AND THE PILOT RECEIVED SERIOUS FROST BITE OF BOTH FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5755Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5755Q-1982-11-27), registration cancelled 1982-11-27, S/N 736 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 736
- Airframe hours: 2693
- Engines: LYCOMING TSIO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William L. Clayborn
- Registered owner: William L. Clayborn
- Departed: ASPEN, CO
- Destination: DENVER, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,050 total, 300 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 30 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles

## 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 19820304002279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820304002279A), Mar 4, 1982: Mooney M20E, Aspen, CO, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Unable to outclimb rising terrain. Severed the left wing on a ridgetop tree. Passenger died from exposure.

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.