# NTSB FTW85FA343: Mooney M20J, N4081H, Bethel, OK, November 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1984, 15:13 local (21:13 UTC)
- Place: Bethel, OK
- Coordinates: 34.459827, -94.640159 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4598&lon=-94.6402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21570
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA343
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21570/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA343

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - hazardous weather advisory - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - underconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - pull-up - attempted, pilot in command
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DESPITE A WX BRIEF DISCOURAGING VFR FLT THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT DEPARTED AT ABOUT 1330 CST. HIS STATED DEST WAS FT. WORTH, TX WHICH IS DUE NORTH. AFTER TAKEOFF IN VMC THE ACFT FLEW NE TOWARD AN UNKNOWN DEST. A WX STUDY INDICATED CONDITIONS ALONG THE TRACK OF FLT INCLUDED FOG, RAIN, AND THUNDERSTORMS. THE LAST PORTION OF THE FLT WAS IN THE VICINITY OF THUNDERSTORMS, HEAVY RAIN, SEVERE OR GREATER TURBULENCE, SEVERE ICING ABOVE 11,500 FT AND LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR. RADAR PLOTS RECORDED THE ACFT GROUND TRACK AND SHOWED VERY ERRATIC AIRSPEED AND COURSE DURING APRX THE LAST 25 MIN OF FLT. 4 NEAR 180 DEG TURNS WERE MADE, ALT WAS UNKNOWN. IMPACT OCCURRED ON A WESTERLY HEADING IN ROCKY, HILLY TERRAIN GEAR AND FLAPS UP. THE DESCENT ANGLE WAS APRX VERTICAL IN AN APRX 20 DEG NOSE DOWN LEFT WING LEADING ATTITUDE. THE ELT DID NOT ACTIVATE; AIR SEARCH WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND TERMINATED ON 12-3-84. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND BY A HELICOPTER ON 9-11-85 IN THE COMMERCIAL PINE TREE FOREST. INVEST REVEALED NO PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4081H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1056
- Airframe hours: 1026
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6DL 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sweetbriar Nursing Home
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 26, 1984, 53 hours before
- Departed: TO4, GEORGETOWN, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,777 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 8 knots
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 57 °F

## 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 19841126066669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841126066669A), Nov 26, 1984: Mooney M20J, Bethel, OK, Destroyed. Impacted wooded rising terrain in reported IFR conditions. VFR pilot advised that VFR flight was not recommended.

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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