# NTSB LAX89FA133: Mooney M20F, N9379M, San Andreas, CA, March 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1989, 12:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: San Andreas, CA
- Coordinates: 38.199119, -120.620231 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1991&lon=-120.6202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26217
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26217/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA133

## Probable cause

INTERRUPTION OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON, AND FAILUE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/SPIN. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: LACK OF ALTITUDE TO RECOVER FROM THE STALL/SPIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES RPRTD THERE WAS AN INTERRUPTION OF ENG POWER AS THE ACFT WAS MANEUVERING AT LOW ALT, THEN IT ENTERED A DSCNT WITH THE WINGS ROTATING & CRASHED.  A SWATH THRU THE TREES IN THE IMPACT AREA INDICATED THE ACFT WAS IN A LEFT WING LOW/NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE WHEN IT CRASHED. THE PROP BLADES HAD EVIDENCE OF CHORDWISE SCRATCHES & DEEP LEADING EDGE GOUGES. ALSO, A TREE LIMB WAS FOUND THAT HAD BEEN SLICED; IT CONTAINED BLACK PAINT THAT MATCHED PAINT ON THE PROP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9379M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9379M-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 670003, built 1966 (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: 670003
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Drago, Charles R.
- Registered owner: Draco, Charles & Sharon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 1988
- Departed: 061, CAMERON PARK, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 640 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SCK, 32 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 19890326004519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890326004519A), Mar 26, 1989: Mooney M20F, San Andreas, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Observed spiraling to ground impact. One witness reports aircraft rolled several times prior to descent and crash.

## Other investigations on N9379M (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 SEA77FYG08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA77FYG08), Nov 11, 1976: Mooney M20F (N9379M), Palouse, WA, 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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