# NTSB FTW90DPJ04: Mooney M20F, N3514X, Bethany, OK, April 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1990, 22:46 local (Apr 3, 1990, 04:46 UTC)
- Place: Bethany, OK
- Coordinates: 35.500473, -97.639923 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5005&lon=-97.6399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22953
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DPJ04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22953/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DPJ04

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT WHEN THE PILOT STALLED AND SPUN THE AIRPLANE INADVERTENTLY WHILE TURNING TO THE BASE LEG. A FACTOR WAS LACK OF NIGHT FLYING TIME.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - light condition - night
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
- On ground/water collision with object, other
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT VFR APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT, WITNESSES SAW THE AIRPLANE START A TURN TO BASE LEG AND THEN SPIN INTO THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE WAS DEMOLISHED BY IMPACT AND THE PRIVATE PILOT RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. THE FLIGHT HAD ORIGINATED IN CHESTER, SC ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED HIS PILOT'S LICENSE ON MARCH 24, 1990, HAD FLOWN THE AIRPLANE TO SOUTH CAROLINA ON MARCH 28, 1990, AND WAS ON HIS WAY BACK TO ARIZONA TO VISIT HIS SICK FATHER. THE PILOT'S TOTAL FLYING TIME WAS 106 HOURS, OF WHICH 6.7 HOURS HAD BEEN FLOWN AT NIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3514X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3514X-2012-10-04), registration cancelled 2012-10-04, S/N 670052, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 670052
- Airframe hours: 3013
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-AIA 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nicholson, David Robert
- Registered owner: Nicholson Enterprises Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1989, 121 hours before
- Departed: 3WE, ST. LOUIS, MO
- Destination: PWA, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
- Airport: PWA, Wiley Post, runway 35, 7,198 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 106 total, 26 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWA, 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 19900402007989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900402007989A), Apr 2, 1990: Mooney M20F, Oklahoma City, OK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Too slow turning final for night landing,stalled and spun to ground.

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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