# NTSB MIA85FA254: Mooney M20F, N4797N, Aripeka, FL, September 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1985, 22:45 local (Sep 14, 1985, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Aripeka, FL
- Location: 28.4293° N, 82.6683° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Aripeka, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4293&lon=-82.6683&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31266
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA254
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31266/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA254

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT STATED THAT AFTER DINNER, WHICH INCLUDED A SMALL AMOUNT OF WINE, HE WENT TO THE ARPT TO CLEAN HIS ACFT, THEN ELECTED TO GO FOR A SHORT FLT. HE INTENDED TO STAY WITHIN 25 MI OF THE ARPT, BUT FOUND HIMSELF OVER LAKELAND.HE LANDED AT A STRIP TO CALL, BUT THERE WAS NO TELEPHONE, SO HE TOOK OFF AGAIN. WHILE RETURNING, THE PLT DIVERTED TOWARD THE WEST TO AVOID A STORM. SUBSEQUENTLY, DARKNESS OCCURRED & THE STUDENT BECAME LOST & DISORIENTED. HE SAW A HIGHWAY & FLEW ALONG IT WHILE TRYING TO IDENTIFY A FAMILIAR LANDMARK. EVENTUALLY, THE PLT FLEW OUT OVER THE EDGE OF THE GULF OF MEXICO & INADVERTENTLY DESCENDED INTO THE WATER. AFTER COMING TO REST, HE CRAWLED OUT OF THE ACFT & FELL INTO THE WATER, BUT GOT BACK ONTO THE WING OF THE ACFT. HE REPORTED THAT WHILE HE WAS WAITING TO BE RESCUED, HE RINSED SALT WATER & GASOLINE FROM HIS MOUTH & DRANK FROM A BOTTLE OF GINGER ALE. A BOTTLE OF WINE WAS FND IN THE ACFT. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.07 GM% (0.07%) & A TRACE OF DIAZEPAM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4797N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4797N-2013-06-12), registration cancelled 2013-06-12, S/N 22-1408, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-1408
- Airframe hours: 1543
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph G.Corr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1985
- Departed: X30, ORLANDO WEST, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 87 total, 45 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 60° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE, 37 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 19850913044999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850913044999A), Sep 13, 1985: Mooney M20F, Aripeka, FL, Destroyed. Became disorientated and finally impacted waters of gulf of Mexico. Had alchohol in blood sample.

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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