# NTSB FTW85FA088: Mooney M20J, N5681K, San Antonio, TX, December 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1984, 17:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: San Antonio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.539512, -98.49073 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5395&lon=-98.4907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21521
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21521/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA088

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING & FILED AN IFR FLT PLAN ALTHOUGH POOR WX CONDITIONS EXISTED (200 FT CEILING & ONE-HALF MI VISIBILITY) AT SAN ANTONIO. THE TOWER INSTRUCTIONS TO N5681K WERE TO FLY RWY HEADING (120 DEG) AFTER DEPARTURE, HOWEVER, WHEN THE ACFT MADE A LEFT TURN AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT WAS INSTRUCTED TO TURN RT TO A HEADING OF 180 DEG. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THE HEADING CHANGE BUT DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS. THIS WAS THE LAST CONTACT WITH THE PLT. DURING THE INVESTIGATION A COMPUTER-GENERATED GROUND TRACK REVEALED A LEFT TURN OF 495 DEG, FOLLOWED BY RT TURN OF 45 DEG WHICH WAS HELD FOR ABOUT ONE-HALF MIN & THEN ANOTHER RT TURN OF ABOUT 50 DEG BEFORE DISAPPEARING FROM RADAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5681K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5681K-2014-12-03), registration cancelled 2014-12-03, S/N 24-1398, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1398
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John M. Mcilvoy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 21, 1983
- Destination: T02, LAPORTE, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT

## 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 19841226068069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841226068069A), Dec 26, 1984: Mooney M20J, San Antonio, TX, Destroyed, 3 fatal. VFR pilot filed and flew IFR. Crashed shortly after takeoff. Did not comply with ATC instructions after takeoff.

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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