# NTSB LAX85LA183: Mooney M20C, N1359W, Apple Valley, CA, March 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1985, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Apple Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 34.570766, -117.149276 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5708&lon=-117.1493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24681
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24681/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA183

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - engine(s) operating
  - passenger briefing - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, other person (cause)

## Analysis

UPON LANDING & TAXIING OFF THE RWY THE ATP CERTIFICATED PLT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE DESIRED ACFT HANGAR IN WHICH THE ACFT WAS TO BE PARKED. THE PLT & HIS 15-YEAR-OLD PAX OBSERVED A BYSTANDER NEAR THEIR ACFT. THE PLT DIRECTED THE PAX TO EXIT THE ACFT & ASK THE BYSTANDER WHERE THE HANGAR WAS LOCATED. THE PLT FAILED TO SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. THE PAX REPORTED HE EXITED THE ACFT AND WALKED TOWARD THE BYSTANDER USING THE MOST DIRECT ROUTE BECAUSE THE BYSTANDER WAS PREPARING TO ENTER ANOTHER ACFT. THE PAX WALKED ON THE WING, AROUND THE DOOR AND JUMPED OFF THE LEADING EDGE OF THE RIGHT WING STRIKING THE WINDMILLING PROPELLER. THE PAX REPORTED THE PLT FAILED TO BRIEF HIM ON THE PROPER WAY TO ENTER AND EXIT THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1359W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1359W), registered now, S/N 2640, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (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: 2673
- Airframe hours: 1833
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles R. Down
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BUR, BURBANK, CA
- Destination: APV, APPLE VALLEY, CA
- Airport: APV, Apple Valley

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,040 total, 7 in this make and model, 2,950 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## Other investigations on N1359W (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 LAX66F0097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66F0097), Sep 22, 1965: Mooney M20C (N1359W), Fullerton, 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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