# NTSB FTW90FA093: Mooney M-20J, N526L, Inola, OK, April 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1990, 20:40 local (Apr 10, 1990, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Inola, OK
- Coordinates: 36.13084, -95.530364 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1308&lon=-95.5304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23017
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23017/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA093

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONDUCT THE FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER AND HIS INABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. FACTORS WERE THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather forecast - not obtained, pilot in command
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - fence
  - object - fence post
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT HAD JUST COMPLETED A NIGHT INSTRUMENT FLIGHT LESSON AND ELECTED TO FLY HIS AIRPLANE HOME. HIS FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TRIED TO GET HIM TO DRIVE HOME BUT HE SAID NO, HE COULD MAKE IT. THE EXACT WX CONDITIONS HE ENCOUNTERED COULD NOT BE DETERMINED BUT THE AREA WAS UNDER A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING AT THE TIME. THERE WERE NO RECORDS TO SHOW THE PILOT CONTACTED ANY COMMERCIAL OR GOVERNMENT WEATHER SERVICE. THE AIRPLANE WAS IN A HIGH SPEED, DESCENDING LEFT TURN, TOWARD THE DIRECTION OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT, WHEN IT IMPACTED A TREE, A FENCE AND FENCE POST, A HIGH VOLTAGE POWER LINE, AND THE GROUND. ALL OF THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ALONG THE WRECKAGE PATH. NO PRE-IMPACT PROBLEMS COULD BE FOUND WITH THE AIRPLANE, ENGINE, OR RELATED COMPONENTS. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR SAID THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED IN VFR CONDITIONS. HE ALSO SAID THAT EVERYTHING WAS OPERATIONAL ON THE AIRPLANE WHEN THEY FINISHED THEIR INSTRUMENT FLIGHT LESSON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N526L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N526L-1990-10-23), registration cancelled 1990-10-23, S/N 241382 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1382
- Airframe hours: 1226
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert A. Johnston
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1990
- Departed: TUL, TULSA, OK
- Destination: WAGONER, OK
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 354 total, 299 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUL, 30 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 19900409007909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900409007909A), Apr 9, 1990: Mooney M20J, Inola, OK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into area of thunderstorm at night,lost control. High speed impact destroyed aircraft. Advised not to depart.

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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