# NTSB NYC08CA067: Mooney M20F, N9371M, Carrollton, GA, December 22, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 22, 2007, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Carrollton, GA
- Coordinates: 33.630001, -85.151664
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6300&lon=-85.1517&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67289
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67289/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA067

## Probable cause

The pilot's descent below the glidepath during the approach, which resulted in a collision with terrain.  Contributing factors included the pilot's diverted attention, pilot fatigue, and the night lighting conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - terrain condition - ground
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot of a Mooney M20F was flying a night instrument landing system (ILS) approach and became distracted while attempting to locate and tune in the airport's common traffic advisory frequency.  The airplane subsequently descended below the glideslope and impacted the ground about 1 mile from the airport.  The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.  He also indicated that due to strong headwinds, he had earlier stopped at an intermediate airport, and should have stayed there, as he was fatigued at the time of the accident.  The pilot reported 1,075 hours of total flight experience, which included 990 hours in make and model, and 62 hours in actual instrument meteorological conditions.  Weather, reported at an airport about 35 miles to the east of the accident site, about the time of the accident, included a visibility of 1.5 miles in light drizzle and mist, and broken and overcast cloud layers at 400 and 700 feet respectively.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot of a Mooney M20F, he was flying a night instrument landing system (ILS) approach and became distracted while attempting to locate and tune in the airport's common traffic advisory frequency.  The airplane subsequently descended below the glideslope and impacted the ground about 1 mile from the airport.  The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.  He also indicated that due to strong headwinds, he had earlier stopped at an intermediate airport, and should have stayed there, as he was fatigued at the time of the accident.  The pilot reported 1,075 hours of total flight experience, which included 990 hours in make and model, and 62 hours in actual instrument meteorological conditions.  Weather, reported at an airport about 35 miles to the east of the accident site, about the time of the accident, included a visibility of 1.5 miles in light drizzle and mist, and broken and overcast cloud layers at 400 and 700 feet respectively.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9371M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9371M-2013-03-19), registration cancelled 2013-03-19, S/N 670255, built 1967 (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: 670255
- Airframe hours: 2992
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael W. Sanders
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2007
- Departed: VJI, Abingdon, VA
- Destination: CTJ, Carrollton, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CTJ, West Georgia Regional, runway 35, 5,652 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,075 total, 990 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night
- Wind: 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 1.5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 36 nm away

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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