# NTSB FTW84FA302: Mooney M-18LA, N4090, New Iberia, LA, July 7, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1984, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: New Iberia, LA
- Coordinates: 30.000246, -91.810798 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0002&lon=-91.8108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21135
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA302
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21135/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA302

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - qualification, pilot in command
  - wing,spar - deteriorated (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - pull-up - initiated, pilot in command
  - wing,spar - failure,total (cause)
  - wing - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A PLT WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT IN A 20 TO 30 DEG DIVE AT HIGH SPEED JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. HE REPORTED THAT AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 1200 TO 1300 FT, THE ACFT BEGAN A PULL-UP. AS THE PULL-UP WAS STARTED, THE OUTBOARD PORTION OF THE ACFT'S LEFT WING FOLDED UPWARD & THE ACFT INTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DIVE & CRASHED. THE OUTBOARD 3 FT OF THE LEFT WING WAS FOUND RELATIVELY INTACT. THE REMAINDER OF THE WING WAS BROKEN IN NUMEROUS PIECES. ALSO, THE LEFT AILERON WAS BENT UPWARD ABOUT 3 FT FROM ITS OUTBOARD END. AN EXAM OF THE WOODEN STRUCTURE REVEALED DISCOLORATION IN THE FRACTURE AREA. EVIDENCE OF WOOD DETERIORATION & DECAY WAS FOUND IN LOCALIZED AREAS AROUND WING FASTENERS. A TOXICOLOGICAL CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED SOME ALCOHOL (0.04%); HOWEVER, THE PLT'S BODY HAD NOT BEEN IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM THE WRECKAGE. THE AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL DUE TO PUTREFACTION WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE PLT'S LAST MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS DATED 12/18/81.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4090 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-18LA
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 125
- Airframe hours: 12
- Engines: LYCOMING O-145-B2 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arthur H. Fleming
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 10, 1983, 12 hours before
- Departed: ARA, NEW IBERIA, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARA, 10 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 19840707030349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840707030349A), Jul 7, 1984: Mnmite M18LA, New Iberia, LA, Destroyed. Outer wing section failed when pilot began a high speed pullup. Wood had rotted in spar. Wood wing AD no record.

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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