# NTSB MKC82FCQ08: Mooney M20F, N7761M, Cedar Vale, KS, January 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1982, 03:30 local (09:30 UTC)
- Place: Cedar Vale, KS
- Coordinates: 37.099529, -96.500778 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0995&lon=-96.5008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70168
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82FCQ08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70168/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82FCQ08

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - wing - ice
  - aircraft preflight - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - fog
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE LANDING ON THE PREVIOUS FLIGHT, THE PROPELLER WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT STRUCK AN ELECTRIC FENCE. AFTER THE PROPELLER WAS REPAIRED, THE PILOT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF AT NIGHT. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PILOT HAD REMOVED ALL FROST BEFORE TAKEOFF. WITNESSES STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A STEEP CLIMB, THEN IT CONTINUED STRAIGHT AHEAD AND CRASHED. THEY REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING UNTIL IMPACT. BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK ELECTRIC LINES AND TREES. THE LOOSE END OF AN ELECTRIC WIRE HAD THE APPEARANCE OF BEING CUT AND SEVERAL TREE LIMBS WERE FOUND WITH DIAGONAL SLASH MARKS. THE WITNESSES ESTIMATED THAT THE VISIBILITY WAS ABOUT 3 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, A FEW MINUTES LATER, LOW CEILING AND VISIBILITY WITH FOG WERE REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7761M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7761M-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 22-0021, built 1974 (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: 22 0021
- Airframe hours: 1300
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-BEF 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Hampton Indus.
- Registered owner: Hampton Indus.
- Departed: KS30, CEDAR VALE, KS
- Destination: TULSA, OK
- Airport: KS30, Mills Ranch, runway 31, 1,600 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 2,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 77 °F

## 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 19820119001229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820119001229A), Jan 19, 1982: Mooney M20F, Cedar Vale, KS, Destroyed. Stalled aircraft on night takeoff from private, unlighted strip. Ground fog in area. Burned on near vertical impact

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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