# NTSB FTW87FA043: Mooney M20J, N201AV, Gladewater, TX, January 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 3, 1987, 13:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Gladewater, TX
- Coordinates: 32.540927, -94.94094 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5409&lon=-94.9409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22227
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22227/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA043

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - daylight
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED INTO LOW OVERCAST CLOUDS (ABOUT 200 FOOT CEILING) WITH ONE TO TWO MILES VISIBILITY IN LIGHT RAIN AND FOG. HE DID NOT FILE A FLIGHT PLAN ALTHOUGH HE WAS INSTRUMENT RATED. HIS CURRENCY FOR FLIGHT IN INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS ARE UNKNOWN. IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENTERING THE CLOUDS THE PILOT INITIATED A CLIMBING LEFT TURN OF ABOUT 150-160 DEGREES. ABOUT A MINUTE LATER THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED 1.5 MILES SOUTH OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. IMPACT OCCURRED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE OF 60-75 DEGREES AND AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE CLIMBING LEFT TURN IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENTERING THE CLOUDS WOULD HAVE BEEN CONDUCIVE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N201AV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N201AV-2012-08-22), registration cancelled 2012-08-22, S/N 24-0419, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0419
- Airframe hours: 472
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clifford E. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1986
- Departed: O7F, GLADEWATER, TX
- Destination: IAH, HOUSTON, TX
- Airport: O7F, Gladewater Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYR, 25 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 19870103000029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870103000029A), Jan 3, 1987: Mooney M20J, Gladewater, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft impacted the gro;und at high speed. The pilot departed in IFR conditions without a flight plan.

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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