# NTSB NYC92LA031: Mooney M20C, N9637M, Painesville, OH, November 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1991, 23:00 local (Nov 16, 1991, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Painesville, OH
- Coordinates: 41.720676, -81.239349 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7207&lon=-81.2393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37108
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37108/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA031

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE POWERLINE TOWER STRUCTURE WHILE EXECUTING A VISUAL APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE LACK OF PROPER RADIO EQUIPMENT NECESSARY TO EXECUTE THE INSTRUMENT APPROACH, RESTRICTED VISIBILITY AND NIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - flight/nav instruments,radio magnetic indicator - not installed
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tower(marked)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE TWO PILOTS DEPARTED KEENE, NH, IFR AND UPON ARRIVAL AT PAINESVILLE, OH, THEY RECEIVED A CLEARANCE TO EXECUTE THE NDB B APPROACH.  ONE OF THE PILOTS CANCELLED THE IFR FLIGHT PLAN AND REPORTED THE AIRPORT IN SIGHT. THE CONTROLLER QUERIED THE PILOT WHEN HE OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE ON RADAR 4 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT.  ONE OF THE PILOTS INDICATED THEY WERE MANEUVERING TO LAND ON A DIFFERENT RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A 150 FOOT TALL POWERLINE SUPPORT TOWER APPROXIMATELY 140 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.  THE VISIBILITY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS LESS THAN ONE MILE IN RAIN AND FOG.  POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ADF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9637M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9637M-1992-04-10), registration cancelled 1992-04-10, S/N 670108 (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: 670108
- Airframe hours: 4762
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Smith, Harry E.
- Registered owner: Smith, Harry E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1986, 1,010 hours before
- Departed: EEN, KEENE, NH
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,896 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 260° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °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 19911115052039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911115052039A), Nov 15, 1991: Mooney M20C, Painesville, OH, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck powerline tower on approach pvz. Low clouds fog rain. Was IFR for NDB approach no adf. Not IFR rated.

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.