# NTSB MIA82FA088: Mooney M2OJ, N1118R, Ormond Beach, FL, March 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1982, 17:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Ormond Beach, FL
- Location: 29.2858° N, 81.0559° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ormond Beach, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2858&lon=-81.0559&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72111
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA82FA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72111/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82FA088

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT HAD FILED FOR AN IFR CLIMB TO VFR-ON-TOP. HE TOOK OFF AFTER RECEIVING A CLEARANCE TO THE BULLI INTERSECTION WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO MAINTAIN 9000 FT, IF NOT VFR-ON-TOP BY THAT ALTITUDE. AT 1720 EST, THE PILOT TRANSMITTED THAT HE WAS INITIATING A TAKEOFF. HE CALLED DAYTONA BEACH DEPARTURE CONTROL WHILE CLIMBING AND RADAR CONTACT WAS ESTABLISHED AT 1722 EST. AT 1724, HE REPORTED CLIMBING THROUGH 1600 FT; HOWEVER, ABOUT ONE MINUTE LATER, RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WERE LOST. GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED OBSERVING THE AIRCRAFT ABOUT ONE MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AT LOW ALTITUDE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA WHILE IN A NEAR VERTICAL FLIGHT PATH. A TREE TRUNK WAS FOUND BELOW THE WRECKAGE PATH THAT HAD BEEN CUT IN THREE PIECES. THE CUT MARKS WERE CONSISTENT WITH DAMAGE FROM A PROPELLER AT HIGH POWER. NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1118R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1118R-1993-11-08), registration cancelled 1993-11-08, S/N 241141 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M2OJ
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1141
- Airframe hours: 182
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Eugene Allen Davis
- Registered owner: Eugene Allen Davis
- Departed: ORMOND BEACH, FL
- Destination: JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: OMN, Ormond Beach Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,200 total, 182 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken
- Temperature: 145 °F
- Altimeter: 31.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 8 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 19820329006479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820329006479A), Mar 29, 1982: Mooney M20J, Ormond Beach, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. VFR pilot lost control on IFR departure into low clouds. Near vertical impact. Victims positive blood alcohol.

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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