# NTSB FTW91FA030: Mooney 20J, N7201E, Newcastle, OK, January 15, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 14, 1991, 22:44 local (Jan 15, 1991, 04:44 UTC)
- Place: Newcastle, OK
- Coordinates: 35.240936, -97.59008 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2409&lon=-97.5901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23243
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91FA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23243/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA030

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL. FACTORS WERE SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, IMPROPER IFR PROCEDURES, AND THE DARK NIGHT WITH LOW CEILINGS AND RAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT BACK COURSE LOCALIZER APPROACH UNDER INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, THE INSTRUMENT-RATED PRIVATE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF HIS AIRCRAFT AND IMPACTED INTO A MUDDY WHEAT FIELD. THE PILOT HAD REQUESTED THE APPROACH AFTER ATTEMPTING TO VISUALLY LAND AT THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT WAS VECTORED TO FINAL AND FLEW THROUGH THE LOCALIZER. HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE WAS ON THE CORRECT FREQUENCY. HE WAS OBSERVED TURNING AND FLYING AWAY FROM THE COURSE LINE JUST PRIOR TO THE LOSS OF CONTROL. HE HAD STATED THAT HE WAS BELOW THE CLOUDS PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING THE INSTRUMENT APPROACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7201E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7201E-1991-04-03), registration cancelled 1991-04-03, S/N 240596 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY 20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0596
- Airframe hours: 2670
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James D. Woodward
- Registered owner: James D. Woodward
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1990, 53 hours before
- Departed: WWR, WOODWARD, OK
- Destination: OKC, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: OKC, Will Rogers World, runway 35, 9,800 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,400 total, 4,274 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 10° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °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 19910114000509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910114000509A), Jan 14, 1991: Mooney M20J, Oklahoma City, OK, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Trouble intercepting ILS. Lost lcontrol and crashed into muddy wheat field.

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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