# NTSB NYC86FA133: Mooney M20K, N97299, West Milford, NJ, May 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1986, 20:15 local (May 23, 1986, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: West Milford, NJ
- Location: 41.1312° N, 74.3674° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Milford, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1312&lon=-74.3674&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30188
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30188/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA133

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (cause)
  - weather evaluation - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ON AN IFR FLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED AN AREA OF THUNDERSTORMS, LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND CRASHED. IN AN ATTEMPT TO CIRCUMNAVIGATE THE STORMS THE PLT INADVERTENTLY ENTERED A STORM AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. THE PLTS LAST RADIO CALL INDICATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97299](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97299-1991-03-13), registration cancelled 1991-03-13, S/N 250506 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20K
- Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-0506
- Airframe hours: 650
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-LB1B 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arthur R. Teager
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 19, 1985
- Departed: BED, BEDFORD, MA
- Destination: MMU, MORRISTOWN, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,284 total, 1,102 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SWF, 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 19860522026329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860522026329A), May 22, 1986: Mooney M20K, West Milford, NJ, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into thunderstorm IFR in IMC. Lost control and collided wit ground. Reported severe downdraft.

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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