# NTSB NYC88FA041: Mooney M20C, N3644H, St. Marys, PA, November 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1987, 21:10 local (Nov 15, 1987, 02:10 UTC)
- Place: St. Marys, PA
- Location: 41.4278° N, 78.5609° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of St. Marys, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4278&lon=-78.5609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35989
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88FA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35989/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88FA041

## 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
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - inadequate
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - ice (cause)
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE GETTING FUEL, THE PILOT OF THE MOONEY M20C AND HIS 3 PALS WERE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE FROST WITH PAPER TOWELS AND PLASTIC CREDIT CARDS AFTER BEING TOLD BY THE FUEL TRUCK DRIVER THAT THE ARPT HAD NO ICE REMOVAL SOLUTION. A WITNESS STATED THAT AS THE ATTEMPT WAS BEING MADE TO REMOVE THE FROST & ICE, MORE FROST AND ICE WAS FORMING. WITNESSES WHO OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT ON THE TAKEOFF STATED THE ROLL WAY VERY LONG; THE CLIMB AND TURNING BANK WAS STEEP; AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT DESCENT ANGLE WAS STEEP. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND BURST INTO FLAMES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3644H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3644H-1988-03-02), registration cancelled 1988-03-02, S/N 201258 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M20C201258
- Airframe hours: 3771
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carlos D. Salas
- Registered owner: David Salas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 25, 1987, 53 hours before
- Departed: 8G5, ST. MARYS, PA
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 100 total, 70 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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