# NTSB NYC85FA039: Mooney M20J, N1113X, Montague, NJ, December 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1984, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Montague, NJ
- Location: 41.3031° N, 74.7935° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Montague, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3031&lon=-74.7935&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35790/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA039

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
  - buzzing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THIS AIRCRAFT WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL FOLLOWING A BLADDER BIOPSY ABOUT SIX HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ALTHOUGH HE WAS ADVISED NOT TO FLY THAT DAY HE ELECTED TO DO SO. HE WAS ENGAGED IN BUZZING A FRIENDS HOUSE WHEN HE COLLIDED WITH TREES, CRASHED AND BURNED. THE AUTOPSY FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT DID NOT INDICATE INCAPACITATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1113X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1140
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John H. Hafner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: N52, SOMERVILLE, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,134 total, 2,024 in this make and model, 2,032 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CDW, 32 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 19841208065379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841208065379A), Dec 8, 1984: Mooney M20J, Montague, NJ, Destroyed. Circled friends house and descended into trees. Doctor had advised pilot not to fly the day of the accident.

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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