# NTSB LAX86FA206: Mooney M20F, N9309V, Morgan Hill, CA, May 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1986, 11:55 local (18:55 UTC)
- Place: Morgan Hill, CA
- Coordinates: 37.170043, -121.650917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1700&lon=-121.6509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24910
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA206
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24910/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA206

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REQUESTED AND RECEIVED PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFINGS, TWICE, AND WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE FLIGHT DEPARTED AND CRASHED INTO MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN THAT WAS OBSCURED BY ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ACFT HAD CIRCLED SEVERAL TIMES IN A VALLEY OR CANYON AREA BEFORE IT DISAPPEARED INTO CLOUDS AND IMPACTED THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN. THEY REPORTED THAT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, THERE WERE LOW CEILINGS, POOR VISIBILITY WITH FOG AND HEAVY RAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9309V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9309V-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 690087, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 690087
- Airframe hours: 1231
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: J. M. Grimes, doing business as Grimes Aviation
- Registered owner: Horace G. Cinnamon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1985, 23 hours before
- Departed: 056, NOVATO, CA
- Destination: SVC, SILVER CITY, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 24,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJC, 24 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 19860503015479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860503015479A), May 3, 1986: Mooney M20F, Morgan Hill, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft struck a ridge which was obscured by clouds. The pilot failed to maintain VFR. Received weather brief.

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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