# NTSB LAX82FUJ27: Mooney M20J, N11578, Paradise Valley, AZ, February 4, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1982, 22:20 local (Feb 4, 1982, 05:20 UTC)
- Place: Paradise Valley, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.540401, -111.95964 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5404&lon=-111.9596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 3, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FUJ27
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72157/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FUJ27

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT PICKED UP THE NEW AIRCRAFT FROM THE FACTORY AT KERRVILLE, TEXAS ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. HE WAS FERRYING THE PLANE TO HIS HOME IN NEW JERSEY BY WAY OF LAS VEGAS, NEVADA. HE DECLINED AN OFFER TO BE CHECKED OUT IN THE PLANE AND DEPARTED KERRVILLE AT ABOUT 1700 CST. ABOUT FIVE HOURS LATER, HE LANDED AT PHOENIX, ARIZONA AND REFUELED. HE DEPARTED PHOENIX AT ABOUT 2212 ON A MOONLESS NIGHT. DURING DEPARTURE FROM THE STAGE III TRSA, THE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WERE NORMAL UNTIL RADAR SERVICE WAS TERMINATED AT 2217 MST. AT 2220 MST, THE PLANE CRASHED ABOUT SEVEN MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE POINT. A NON-RATED WITNESS WITH ABOUT 35 HOURS FLIGHT TRAINING REPORTED THAT THE PLANE CRASHED WHILE IN A SPIN. THE WITNESS ALSO REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OPERATE UNTIL IMPACT. RADAR TRACK DATA VERIFIED THAT THE GROUND SPEED SLOWED FROM 111 KNOTS TO THE SEVENTIES WITH EXCURSIONS TO THE SIXTIES BEFORE A RAPID DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED WITH LITTLE OR NO FORWARD MOVEMENT. AN ENGINE TEARDOWN SHOWED NO FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11578](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11578-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 24-1263, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1263
- Airframe hours: 10
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Afro Venture Inc.
- Registered owner: Afro Venture Inc.
- Departed: PARADISE VALLEY, AZ
- Destination: LAS VEGAS, NV
- Airport: Sky Harbor Intl Arpt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 238 total, 5 in this make and model, 166 as pilot in command, 149 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 227° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Temperature: 124 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 10 nm away

## 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 19820203004329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820203004329A), Feb 3, 1982: Mooney M20J, Paradise Valley, AZ, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed for unknown reasons. Airplane appeared to have been spinning before crash.

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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