# NTSB MKC85LA021: Mooney M20J, N3955H, Kirksville, MO, November 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1984, 21:45 local (Nov 18, 1984, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Kirksville, MO
- Coordinates: 40.189582, -92.569694 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1896&lon=-92.5697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33889
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33889/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA021

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, DURING A LOCALIZER APCH IMPACT WITH AN OBJECT WAS HEARD AND THE ACFT YAWED LEFT. THE PLT DID NOT SEE WHAT THE ACFT HIT BUT STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THE ACFT STRUCK A BIRD. USING A FLASHLIGHT HE ATTEMPTED TO INSPECT THEACFT IN ORDER TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. WHILE LOOKING OUTSIDE THE COCKPIT, THE PLT FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER ALT AND DESCENDED COLLIDING WITH A TREE. AFTER FLYING INTO THE TREE THE PLT CONTINUED THE APCH AND LANDED SAFELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3955H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0992
- Airframe hours: 601
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Keith Lindell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 1984, 57 hours before
- Departed: 7V5, BRUSH, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: IRK, Kirksville, runway 35, 6,004 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 15,395 total, 50 in this make and model, 15,260 as pilot in command, 334 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft
- Temperature: 32 °F
- Observed at: IRK

## 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 19841117062829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841117062829A), Nov 17, 1984: Mooney M20J, Kirksville, MO, Substantial damage. Pilot claims aircraft hit something during approach. In his attempt to access damage, aircraft collided with trees.

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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