# NTSB FTW89LA085: Mooney M20J, N201TP, Jasper, TX, April 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1989, 06:05 local (11:05 UTC)
- Place: Jasper, TX
- Coordinates: 30.92003, -93.990371 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9200&lon=-93.9904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22858/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA085

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF HIS ALTITUDE.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: LIGHT CONDITIONS AT DAWN AND GROUND FOG IN THE AREA, WHICH RESULTED IN THE PILOT'S LACK OF VISUAL PERCEPTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - light condition - dawn (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS AWARE OF PATCHY FOG IN THE AREA. HE SAID HE WAS CLEAR OF THE FOG AND WAS FLYING TOWARD THE AREA OF THE AIRPORT TO SEE IF HE COULD SEE ANY LIGHTS ON THE AIRPORT. HE THOUGHT THE ALTIMETER WAS READING APRX 1300 FT, WHEN THE AIRPLANE HIT PINE TREES & CRASHED. ELEVATION AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS ABOUT 220 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N201TP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N201TP-1989-09-18), registration cancelled 1989-09-18, S/N 240304 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0304
- Airframe hours: 1780
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stratton, William A.
- Registered owner: Stratton, William A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 1988, 104 hours before
- Departed: 5TXO, DENTON, TX
- Destination: JAS
- Airport: JAS, Bell Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,600 total, 3,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Dawn
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890427011109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890427011109A), Apr 27, 1989: Mooney M20J, Jasper, TX, Destroyed. Struck trees in early dawn light with patchy ground fog in area. Was trying to find the airport.

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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