# NTSB LAX85FA073: Mooney M20J, N4812H, Grand Canyon, AZ, December 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1984, 06:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Grand Canyon, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.629955, -112.090957 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6300&lon=-112.0910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24444
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24444/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA073

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - icing conditions (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper decision, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING AND WAS ADVISED OF MODERATE RIME AND MIXED ICING IN CLOUDS. HE FILED AN IFR FLT PLAN AND DEPARTED. WHILE AT 12000 FT, HE REPORTED ENCOUNTERING SEVERE RIME ICE AND REQUESTED A LOWER ALTITUDE. HE STATED THATHE WAS TRYING TO FLING OFF PROPELLER ICE WHEN RADAR AND RADIO CONTACT WERE LOST. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN REMOTE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN BY A GROUND PARTY DIRECTED TO THE SITE BY AN AIR FORCE ACFT WHICH MONITERED A ELT SIGNAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4812H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4812H-2012-12-13), registration cancelled 2012-12-13, S/N 24-0887, built 1979 (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: 24-0887
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary D. Baumann
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Destination: CDC, CEDAR CITY, UT
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: PRC, 108 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 19841216066809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841216066809A), Dec 16, 1984: Mooney M20J, Grand Canyon, AZ, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into area of forecasted moderate icing. Unable to maintain altitude. Impacted tree and terrain.

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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