# NTSB FTW89LA032: Mooney M20C, N6444U, Houma, LA, December 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1988, 17:23 local (23:23 UTC)
- Place: Houma, LA
- Coordinates: 29.579439, -90.810653 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5794&lon=-90.8107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22822
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22822/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA032

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - comm/nav equipment - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN BUT WAS IN VFR CONDITIONS WHEN THE COMMUNICATIONS RADIOS FAILED. PILOT USED HAND HELD TRANSCEIVER, BUT COMMUNICATIONS WERE NOT SATISFACTORY. PILOT ELECTED TO CONTINUE TO DESTINATION BUT DID NOT DECLARE AN EMERGENCY NOR ASK FOR VECTORS TO THE AIRPORT. ATC STARTED VECTORS TO THE AIRPORT ONE MILE FROM AIRPORT, JUST BEFORE END OF FLIGHT. THE AIRPLANE RAN OUT OF FUEL AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6444U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6444U-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 2191, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2191
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Schneider, Richard T.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 42J, KEYSTONE HTS, FL
- Destination: HUM
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HUM, Houma-Terrebone, runway 18, 3,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,141 total, 420 in this make and model, 1,041 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HUM, 1 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 19881222058489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881222058489A), Dec 22, 1988: Mooney M20C, Houma, LA, Substantial damage. Com radios failed, used hand held set. ATC had problems trying to vector. Ran out of fuel. Failed declare emergency

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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