# NTSB NYC83FA035: Mooney M20B, N13213, Auburn, NY, November 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 29, 1982, 11:33 local (16:33 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, NY
- Coordinates: 42.930919, -76.56005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9309&lon=-76.5601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69842
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69842/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA035

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - flight/navigation instrument(s) - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING DEPARTURE ON AN IFR CLIMB-OUT RADAR AND RADIO CONTACT WAS LOST. THE PILOT'S LAST REPORTED ALTITUDE WAS PASSING THROUGH 4,500 FT. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA AT AN ELEVATION OF 1,700 FT MSL. INITIAL CONTACT WAS WITH TREES APPROXIMATELY 40 FT IN HEIGHT AT AN ANGEL OF APPROXIMATELY 45 DEGREES. THE PILOT HAD 20 ACTUAL INSTRUMENT AND 68 SIMULATED INSTRUMENT HOURS LOGGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13213](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13213-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 1867, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20B
- Registry model: [Mooney M20B](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20b) (registry code 5870206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1867
- Airframe hours: 725
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles W. Puhala
- Registered owner: Charles W. Puhala
- Departed: SKANEATELES, NY
- Destination: WASHINGTON, DC
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,149 total, 1,062 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 113 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SYR, 26 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 19821129060459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821129060459A), Nov 29, 1982: Mooney M20B, Auburn, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed in wooded area during IFR flight for unknown reasons.

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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