# NTSB IAD79FKW21: Mooney M-20K, N231C, Benton, TN, September 30, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 30, 1979
- Place: Benton, TN · BENTON, TN
- Location: 35.1749° N, 84.6517° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Benton, TN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1749&lon=-84.6517&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133166
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD79FKW21
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FKW21

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3428  79/9/30    BENTON,TN           MOONEY M-20K        CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 53, 1037
        TIME - 1100                    N231C               PX-  0  0  2  DEMONSTRATION             TOTAL HOURS, 10 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CHILHOWEE GLIDER
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BENTON,TN                   CHATTANOOGA,TN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: SOFT RUNWAY
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: HIGH VEGETATION
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- 1% UPHILL GRAD,21 INCH GRASS,2200 FT USEABLE.HIT TREES AND WIRES 300 FT BEYOND END.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N231C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N231C), registered now, S/N 25-0063, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20K
- Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Chilhowee Glider

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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