# NTSB MKC89LA053: Mooney M20, N4096H, Malmo, MN, January 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 15, 1989, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Malmo, MN
- Coordinates: 46.350982, -94.190887 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3510&lon=-94.1909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34747
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34747/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA053

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC),  WHICH  RESULTED IN HIS LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL, DUE SPATIAL DISORIENTATION.  A RELATED FACTOR  TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,frozen

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT INADVERTENTLY ENTERED INSTRUMENT FLIGHT CONDITIONS AND EXPERIENCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT & IT CRASHED ON A FROZEN LAKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4096H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4096H-1995-04-13), registration cancelled 1995-04-13, S/N 250415 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20
- Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2500415
- Airframe hours: 1252
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jensen, Stephen
- Registered owner: Stephen D Jensen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 23, 1988, 2 hours before
- Departed: FCM, EDEN PRAIRIE, MN
- Destination: BRD, BRAINARD, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 717 total, 200 in this make and model, 717 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BRD, 40 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 19890115000529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890115000529A), Jan 15, 1989: Mooney M20K, Aitkin, MN, Destroyed. Made low altitude turn over snow covered frozen lake. Entered whiteout conditions and impacted the lake.

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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