# NTSB LAX78FA059: Mooney M20E, N7129U, Ajo, AZ, July 2, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 2, 1978
- Place: Ajo, AZ · AJO, AZ
- Location: 32.3717° N, 112.8607° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ajo, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3717&lon=-112.8607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 12, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140368
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX78FA059
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FA059

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3387   78/7/2    AJO,AZ              MOONEY M20E         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1410                    N7129U              PX-  2  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 55, 2000 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          AJO,AZ                      RETURN                       LUKEVILLE,AZ
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- PLT BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL 0.14GM/DL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7129U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7129U-1982-03-01), registration cancelled 1982-03-01, S/N 368 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19780702038069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780702038069A), Jul 2, 1978: Mooney M20D, Ajo, AZ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Plt blood alcohol level 0.14GM/DL.

## Other investigations on N7129U (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 OAK65F0003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK65F0003), Feb 25, 1965: Mooney M20E (N7129U), Yuba City, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK65X0265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X0265), Oct 13, 1964: Mooney M20E (N7129U), Sacramento, CA, 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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