# NTSB FTW82FQD10: Mooney M20K, N99996, Van Horn, TX, April 23, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1982
- Place: Van Horn, TX
- Location: 31.0407° N, 104.8342° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Van Horn, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0407&lon=-104.8342&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FQD10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72912/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FQD10

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - not followed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

N99996 DEPARTED RIVERSIDE, CA ON A FLIGHT TO NACOGDOCHES, TX THE AIRCRAFT MADE A REFUELING STOP IN DEMING, NM, THE LAST KNOWN EN ROUTE POSITION. THE LEFT SEAT PILOT HELD A PVT CERTIFICATE, THE RIGHT SEAT PILOT WAS A FORMER FAA DESIGNATED PILOT EXAMINER. ACCORDING TO FLIGHT SERVICE STATION INFORMATION, THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING OR KNOWN CONTACT WITH THE AIRCRAFT BY ANYONE AFTER IT DEPARTED DEMING. THE NEAREST WEATHER REPORTING FACILITY RECORDED LOW CLOUD CEILINGS AND FOG AT THE APPROXIMATE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE PRIOR TO IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99996](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99996-2013-09-17), registration cancelled 2013-09-17, S/N 25-0614, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20K
- Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 250614
- Airframe hours: 160
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-6B4 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sdb Aviation Partnership
- Registered owner: Sdb Aviation Partnership
- Departed: DEMING, NM
- Destination: NACOGDOCHES, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 450 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 15° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 109 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820423010959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820423010959A), Apr 23, 1982: Mooney M20K, Van Horn, TX, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into cloud-obscured mountain upslope during attempted visual flight. No record of weather briefing.

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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