# NTSB FTW81DA133: Mooney M20E, N7135U, Bayside, TX, March 16, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: March 16, 1980
- Place: Bayside, TX · BAYSIDE, TX
- Location: 28.0960° N, 97.2109° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bayside, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0960&lon=-97.2109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 6, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 131593
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81DA133
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DA133

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3767  80/3/16    BAYSIDE,TX          MOONEY M20E         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 20, 1200
        TIME - 2300                    N7135U              PX-  2  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          BROWNSVILLE,TX              AUSTIN,TX                    ROCKPORT,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - FOG
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFING RECEIVED-METHOD UNKNOWN
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN                                                    300
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1 MILE OR LESS                                           NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       72
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          170                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- RECOVERY DATE 8/19/81.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7135U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7135U-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 374, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19800316020659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800316020659A), Mar 16, 1980: Mooney M20E, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Missing on night flight. Bodies found in bay on VOR approach path to airport. Low ceiling in area.

## Other investigations on N7135U (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW80FAMS4](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FAMS4), Mar 16, 1980: Mooney 720E (N7135U), Missing Aircraft, destroyed, 3 fatal

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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