# NTSB NYC85FA103: Mooney MO-20J, N5764D, Lock Haven, PA, April 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1985, 17:09 local (22:09 UTC)
- Place: Lock Haven, PA
- Coordinates: 41.130584, -77.450584 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1306&lon=-77.4506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35806
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35806/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA103

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (cause)
- In flight encounter with weather, descent - emergency
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - miscellaneous - undetermined
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

PREFLT WX BRIEFINGS WERE ISSUED TO THE PLT THAT FORECASTED MODERATE ICING & TURBULENCE FROM 3000 TO 14000 FT ACROSS THE PLANNED ROUTE. AN IFR FLT PLAN WAS FILED AND DURING THE FLT THE PLT REPORTED ENGINE PROBLEMS AT 1100 FT MSL. DURING VECTORS TO CLOSEST ARPT PLT REPORTED ENG OPERATING & REQUESTED ARPT WITH BETTER WX. DURING VECTORS TO ARPT PLT REPORTED RIME ICE FORMING ON ACFT & ENG FAILURE AT 9000 FT MSL. THE ACFT WAS VECTORED TO THE CLOSET ARPT. RADAR CONTACT & COMMUNICATIONS WERE LOST & THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN SOUTHEAST OF THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5764D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5764D-2013-09-12), registration cancelled 2013-09-12, S/N 24-1475, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY MO-20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1475
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen A. Matthews
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: JHW, JAMESTOWN, NY
- Destination: PHF, NEWPORT NEWS, VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LHV, Lock Haven, runway 27, 3,350 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 840 total, 650 in this make and model, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 30° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: UNV, 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 19850407077469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850407077469A), Apr 7, 1985: Mooney M20J, Lock Haven, PA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Pilot attempted flight into severe weather. Engine lost power in heavy snow. Struck trees on a ridge near airport.

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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