# NTSB NYC91LA226: Mooney M20J, N296TH, Nantucket, MA, August 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1991, 20:28 local (Aug 31, 1991, 00:28 UTC)
- Place: Nantucket, MA
- Location: 41.2714° N, 70.0959° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nantucket, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2714&lon=-70.0959&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37003/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA226

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DESCENT BELOW THE ILS GLIDE PATH AND HIS DELAY IN INITIATING A MISSED APPROACH WHICH RESULTED IN COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, missed approach (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather condition - fog
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, THE PILOT WAS ADVISED THAT THE WEATHER WAS MARGINAL AT HIS DESTINATION AND ALTERNATE AIRPORTS.  HE WAS UNABLE TO LAND AT HIS DESTINATION, SO HE DIVERTED TO ANOTHER AIRPORT WITH KNOWN LOW CEILING AND VISIBILITY.  DURING THE APPROACH, HE OBSERVED A 'FULL SCALE DEFLECTION IN AZIMUTH AND A FLY UP INDICATION ON THE GLIDE SLOPE NEEDLE.'  HE STARTED A MISSED APPROACH, BUT THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A HILL AT THAT TIME.  THE INSTRUMENT APPROACH WAS CHECKED BY THE FAA AND NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND.  OTHER PLILOTS MAKING THE APPROACH DID NOT REPORT ANY DIFFICULTIES.  THE REPORTED WEATHER AT THE TIME WAS AT MINIMUMS FOR THAT APPROACH.  THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL INSTRUMENT FLIGHT TIME OF 31 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N296TH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N296TH-1992-05-13), registration cancelled 1992-05-13, S/N 243144 (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: 24-3144
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas P. Heeney
- Registered owner: Thomas P. Heeney
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: N88, DOYLESTOWN, PA
- Destination: MVY, MARTHA'S VINEYD, MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ACK, Nantucket, runway 24, 6,303 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 604 total, 130 in this make and model, 540 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft

## 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 19910830037599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910830037599A), Aug 30, 1991: Mooney M20J, Nantucket, MA, Destroyed. Went below mda on ILS approach and impacted short. Weather below minima pilot skill factors. Weather below alternate

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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