# NTSB DEN87FA167: Mooney M20F, N6933V, Mitchell, SD, July 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1987, 03:20 local (08:20 UTC)
- Place: Mitchell, SD
- Coordinates: 43.729484, -98.030143 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7295&lon=-98.0301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17116
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17116/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA167

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - intentional, unqualified person (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, unqualified person (cause)
  - judgment - poor, unqualified person (cause)
  - lack of total experience, unqualified person (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THIS NON-LICENSED PLT MADE AN UNAUTHORIZED FLT AT NIGHT. THE ACFT CRASHED ONE HALF MILE NORTH OF THE ARPT. THE OCCUPANT OF THE ACFT WAS FATALLY INJURED. NO RECORDS OF THE PLT'S FLT EXPERIENCE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6933V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6933V-1991-03-25), registration cancelled 1991-03-25, S/N 221306 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 221306
- Airframe hours: 4646
- Engines: LYCOMING I0360A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sheesley Plumbing & Heating
- Registered owner: Sheesley Plumbing & Heating
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1986, 293 hours before
- Departed: MHE, MITCHELL, SD
- Airport: MHE, Mitchell Municipal, runway 17, 5,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HON, 40 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 19870704032029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870704032029A), Jul 4, 1987: Mooney M20F, Mitchell, SD, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Non rated pilot crashed the stolen aircraft on return to airport from a night joy ride. No known flight experience.

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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