# NTSB NYC86FA001: Mooney M20J, N5750L, Robbinsville, NJ, October 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1985, 14:27 local (18:27 UTC)
- Place: Robbinsville, NJ
- Location: 40.2146° N, 74.6193° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Robbinsville, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2146&lon=-74.6193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30163/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA001

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - atc clearance - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

DURING IFR DEPARTURE FROM AN UNCONTROLLED ARPT, THE ACFT WAS INSTRUCTED TO SQUAWK THE DISCRETE FREQ THAT HAD BEEN ISSUED IN PRE-FLT CLEARANCE. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THE FREQ. THE ACFT DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR. GROUND WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT DESCEND OUT OF THE LOW CLOUDS AT A HIGH SPEED. THE PLT HAD 11 HRS OF IFR PIC EXPERIENCE AND 83 HRS OF IFR DUAL INSTRUCTION. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5750L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5750L-1994-05-11), registration cancelled 1994-05-11, S/N 241456 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1456
- Airframe hours: 485
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Venture, Inc
- Registered owner: Jack D. Clary, Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1985, 86 hours before
- Departed: N87, ROBBINSVILLE, NJ
- Destination: UCA, UTICA, NY
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 357 total, 30 in this make and model, 269 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TTN, 15 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 19851003048779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851003048779A), Oct 3, 1985: Mooney M20J, Robbinsville, NJ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control during IMC climbout on IFR flight plan. High speed dive into ground. Limited IFR experience.

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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