# NTSB LAX83FA060: Mooney M20A, N8130E, Gila Bend, AZ, December 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 25, 1982, 12:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Gila Bend, AZ
- Location: 32.9478° N, 112.7168° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gila Bend, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9478&lon=-112.7168&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70826
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70826/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA060

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT LANDED AT GILA BEND WITH A GENERATOR PROBLEM. WHILE ON THE GROUND FOR APPOXIMATELY 2 HRS, THE PLT FLASHED THE GENERATOR FIELD & WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN A POSITIVE AMMETER READING. HE THEN TOOK OFF DOWNWIND & CRASHED IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT WAS UNAWARE HE WAS TAKING OFF DOWNWIND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8130E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8130E-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 1402, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20A
- Registry model: [Mooney M20A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20a) (registry code 5870204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1402
- Airframe hours: 3039
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George Wesley Epps, Jr.
- Registered owner: David F. Miller
- Departed: GILA BEND, AZ
- Destination: SAN, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Gila Bend, runway 22, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 125 total, 11 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Temperature: 136 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 43 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 19821225066849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821225066849A), Dec 25, 1982: Mooney M20A, Gila Bend, AZ, Destroyed. Tried to take off downwind. Struck a hill off the departure end of the runway.

## Other investigations on N8130E (1)

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 LAX68D0072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68D0072), Jun 28, 1967: Mooney M21 (N8130E), Laverne, 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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