# NTSB LAX79FA030: Mooney M-20E, N1979Y, Boron, CA, February 17, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 17, 1979
- Place: Boron, CA · BORON, CA
- Location: 35.0300° N, 117.6689° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Boron, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0300&lon=-117.6689&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 13, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 137307
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79FA030
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA030

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0372  79/2/17  NR.BORON,CA           MOONEY M-20E        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 46, 1200
        TIME - 0021                    N1979Y              PX-  3  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 274 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - US BORAX
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          EL MONTE,CA                 BULLHEAD CITY,AZ            UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        REMARKS- BLOOD ALCOHOL OF TWO PAX .21% & .22%,PILOT BLOOD SAMPLE INSUFFICIENT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1979Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1979Y-2009-07-09), registration cancelled 2009-07-09, S/N 266, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: US Borax

## 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 19790217003109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790217003109A), Feb 17, 1979: Mooney M20E, Boron, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Aicraft struck a wire while attempting to land on taxiway at an unfamiliar airport.

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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