# NTSB LAX87FA101: Mooney M20E, N79366, Dunsmuir, CA, January 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1987, 00:00 local (08:00 UTC)
- Place: Dunsmuir, CA
- Coordinates: 41.190979, -122.259445 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1910&lon=-122.2594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25375/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA101

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN FLYING LOW AND DISAPPEARED INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, CONSISTING OF LOW CLOUDS, GUSTY WINDS AND SNOW WHICH LASTED THROUGHOUT THE DAY. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND ON THE SIDE OF A HILL IN A DESCENDING ATTITUDE WINGS LEVEL. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE. ONE WITNESS REPORTED THAT IT HAD HAILED EARLIER IN THE DAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79366](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79366-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 576, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 576
- Airframe hours: 2728
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dale W. Schultz, Sr.
- Registered owner: Dale W. Schultz, Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 10, 1986
- Departed: RBG, ROSEBURG, OR
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,691 total, 1,523 in this make and model, 1,595 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 25 knots, gusting 32
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F
- Altimeter: 26.00 inHg
- Observed at: 105, 30 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 19870127001869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870127001869A), Jan 27, 1987: Mooney M20E, Dunsmuir, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Impacted the side of a mountain while descending. Witness saw aircraft fitting description fly low into clouds.

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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