# NTSB NYC83LA132: Mooney M20B, N74788, Lakeville, MA, June 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1983, 17:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Lakeville, MA
- Location: 41.8459° N, 70.9495° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lakeville, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8459&lon=-70.9495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35194
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35194/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA132

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE SMOOTH WATER OF A RESERVOIR WHILE FLYING LOW DURING AN AFTERNOON FLIGHT. THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 1000 FT OFFSHORE WHEN THE RIGHT WING TIP COLLIDED WITH THE SURFACE OF THE WATER. THE ACFT THEN SANK IN 15-20 FT OFWATER. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE SMOOTH GLASSY SURFACE OF THE WATER INTERFERRED WITH HIS DEPTH PERCEPTION. DUE TO THIS DIFFICULTY IN JUDGING THE HEIGHT ABOVE THE WATER VISUALLY HE SHOULD HAVE FLOWN HIGHER HE SAID.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74788](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74788-2012-10-19), registration cancelled 2012-10-19, S/N 1788, 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: 1788
- Airframe hours: 2800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles D. Malo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TAN, TAUNTON, MA
- Airport: runway 12

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,840 total, 1,440 in this make and model, 1,825 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19830604022869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830604022869A), Jun 4, 1983: Mooney M20B, Lakeville, MA, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during low flight over reservoir when wing tip contacted water.

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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