# NTSB FTW90FA186: Mooney M20A, N6054X, San Ysidro, NM, September 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1990, 20:53 local (Sep 24, 1990, 02:53 UTC)
- Place: San Ysidro, NM
- Coordinates: 35.550891, -106.770225 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5509&lon=-106.7702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23045
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23045/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA186

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE DURING A NIGHT VFR FLIGHT.  DARKNESS AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS ON A FLIGHT FROM CARLSBAD, CA, TO SANTA FE, NM.  WHEN IT WAS ABOUT 30 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED WOODED MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. IMPACT OCCURRED AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 9200 FT & ABOUT 200 FT BELOW THE CREST OF A RIDGE LINE.  LIGHTS OF THE CITY OF SANTE FE SHOULD HAVE BEEN VISIBLE TO THE PILOT FROM OVER THE CREST LINE.  IMPACT HEADING WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT.  NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND.  THE PILOT'S LAST APPLICATION FOR A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS DENIED ON 10/31/89, WHEN HE DID NOT PROVIDE ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6054X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6054X-1994-01-21), registration cancelled 1994-01-21, S/N 1645 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20A
- Registry model: [Mooney M20A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20a) (registry code 5870204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1645
- Airframe hours: 4015
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: W.B. Powers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 1989, 131 hours before
- Departed: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA
- Destination: SAF, SANTA FE, NM
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; toxicology performed; flight hours: 255 total, 89 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAF, 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 19900923042179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900923042179A), Sep 23, 1990: Mooney M20A, San Ysidro, NM, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into trees near crest of a mountain ridge at night. City lights could be seen in area. No medical certificate.

## Other investigations on N6054X (2)

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.

- [NTSB MKC67F0465](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67F0465), Feb 16, 1967: Mooney M20A (N6054X), Huron, SD, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC67F0364](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67F0364), Dec 26, 1966: Mooney M20A (N6054X), Vermillion, SD, substantial damage

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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