# NTSB LAX89FA275: Mooney M20F, Livermore, CA, August 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1989, 23:08 local (Aug 23, 1989, 06:08 UTC)
- Place: Livermore, CA
- Coordinates: 37.680515, -121.749923 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6805&lon=-121.7499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA275
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26238/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA275

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONDUCT LOW LEVEL NIGHT FLIGHT UNDER LOW CEILINGS. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE DARK NIGHT, LOW CEILING, AND HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT HAD DEPARTED LIVERMORE ON 8/18 FOR AN EXTENDED TRIP. WHILE THE PILOT WAS AWAY, LAWRENCE LIVERMORE LABORATORY HAD INSTALLED ELECT TRANSMISSION LINES ON 200-FT TOWERS ON HILLS 6 MI EAST OF THE ARPT. THE LINES CROSSED A HIGHWAY AND WERE ABOUT 300-400 FT ABOVE THE VALLEY FLOOR. ACCORDING TO LOCAL PILOTS, WHEN FOG OR LOW CEILINGS COVERED THE ARPT, IT IS COMMON PRACTICE TO OVERFLY THE ARPT IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION UNTIL THE GROUND IS VISIBLE, DESCEND, AND REVERSE COURSE UNDER THE CLOUDS FOLLOWING THE HIGHWAY WESTWARD TO THE ARPT. THE MAIN WRECKAGE WAS FOUND 300 YARDS WEST OF THE LINES AND NORTH OF THE HIGHWAY. THE RIGHT WING TIP WAS TORN FROM THE WING, AND WAS LOCATED UNDER THE LINES. GROUND WITNESSES STATED THE SKY WAS OVERCAST AND ESTIMATED THE CEILING AS 200 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CFSAB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 680193
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dilor Research, Ltd
- Departed: BLI, BELLINGHAM, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; foreign, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; toxicology performed; flight hours: 616 total, 515 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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