# NTSB LAX78FA072: Mooney M20, N864B, Los Angeles, CA, August 30, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 30, 1978
- Place: Los Angeles, CA · LOS ANGELES, CA
- Location: 34.0522° N, 118.2437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Los Angeles, CA, within about 12 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0522&lon=-118.2437&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139459
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX78FA072
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FA072

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3671  78/8/30    LOS ANGELES,CA      MOONEY M20          CR-  2  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 30, 311
        TIME - 1215                    N864B               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 52 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - VAN NUYS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          AQUA DULCE,CA               VAN NUYS,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           STALL: SPIN                                              LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- CRASHED ON FREEWAY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N864B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N864B-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 1025, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20
- Registry model: [Mooney M20](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20) (registry code 5870202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Van Nuys

## 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 19780830041239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780830041239A), Aug 30, 1978: Mooney M20D, Los Angeles, CA, Destroyed. Crashed on freeway.

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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