# NTSB NYC86LA010: Mooney M20C, N73SD, Ocean City, NJ, October 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1985, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Ocean City, NJ
- Location: 39.2212° N, 74.5949° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from OCEAN CITY MUNI (26N), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2212&lon=-74.5949&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30247
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30247/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA010

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent
  - object - bird(s) (cause)
  - remedial action - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A BIRD WHILE DESCENDING FOR AN APCH TO LANDING AT OCEAN CITY. SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE RESULTED TO THE RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE ACFT WITH DIFFICULTY. A SUCCESSFUL LANDING WAS ACCOMLISHED.                                                            .

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73SD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73SD), registered now, S/N 20-1252, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (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: 20-1252
- Airframe hours: 320
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Whittle & Mutch, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1985, 40 hours before
- Departed: N14, MEDFORD, NJ
- Destination: 26N, OCEAN CITY, NJ
- Airport: 26N, Ocean City, runway 24, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 929 total, 150 in this make and model, 929 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 21,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19851012072639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851012072639A), Oct 12, 1985: Mooney M20C, Ocean City, NJ, Substantial damage. During descent to traffic pattern a large bird struck right horizontal stabilizer. Safe landing.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.