# NTSB LAX82FA364: Mooney M-20K, N4024H, Mammoth Lakes, CA, September 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1982, 13:52 local (20:52 UTC)
- Place: Mammoth Lakes, CA
- Coordinates: 37.580715, -118.840812 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5807&lon=-118.8408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71556
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA364
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71556/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA364

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - normal
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT CALLED MAMMOTH UNICOM & ADVISED HE WAS 10 MI OUT FOR LANDING. HE WAS ADVISED THAT HE SHOULD USE RWY 27. THE ACFTCRASHED INTO A LAKE ABOUT 6 MI EAST OF THE ARPT. TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS REVEALED A COCAINE LEVEL OF 40.0 MCG/ML IN THE PLT'S URINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4024H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20K
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-0455
- Airframe hours: 489
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-G3 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Divid C. Matthews, Jr.
- Registered owner: Divid C. Matthews, Jr.
- Departed: C, LONE PINE, CA
- Destination: C, MAMMOTH LAKES, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,245 total, 445 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken

## 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 19820927053119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820927053119A), Sep 27, 1982: Mooney M20K, Mammoth Lakes, CA, Destroyed. Lost control during approach to destination. Airframe failure occurred. Cocaine in pilots blood. Snowshowers in area.

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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