# NTSB NYC06CA006: Mooney M20K, N1163A, Ithaca, NY, October 7, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 7, 2005, 16:08 local (20:08 UTC)
- Place: Ithaca, NY
- Coordinates: 42.535831, -76.523612
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5358&lon=-76.5236&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62627/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA006

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to comply with the published instrument approach procedure, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - ifr procedure - not complied with, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

While on a VOR approach, the pilot reported to the control tower that he was 3.5 miles from the airport.  Shortly thereafter, the pilot saw the tops of trees about 50 feet in front of the airplane.  Without sufficient time to arrest the descent, the airplane impacted trees and the ground resulting in substantial damage.  The pilot additionally stated, "I can not really explain why I let the airplane descend too low.  I felt comfortable with the approach throughout.  I simply was too low, too far away from [the] airport."

## Factual narrative

"This report is based on information received by the NTSB.  Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case.  For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1163A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1163A), registered now, S/N 25-0666, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Mooney M20K
- Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-0666
- Engines: Continental TSIO-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 44N, Millbrook, NY
- Destination: ITH, Ithaca, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ITH, Ithaca Regional Airport, runway 14

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 4,038 total, 427 in this make and model, 34 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day

## 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 20051007032009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051007032009A), Oct 7, 2005: Mooney M20K, Ithaca, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 7, 2005 at about 1600 local time, approximately 3.6 miles northwest of runway 14 at the Ithaca airport, a Mooney airplane N1163A collided with…

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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