# NTSB SEA71DDG14: Mooney M20C, N5637Q, Melrose, MT, September 17, 1970

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 17, 1970
- Place: Melrose, MT · MELROSE, MT
- Location: 45.6319° N, 112.6845° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Melrose, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6319&lon=-112.6845&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143486
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA71DDG14
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71DDG14

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3750  70/9/17    MELROSE,MONT        MOONEY M20C         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 42, 40 TOTAL
        TIME - 1330                    N5637Q              PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WISDOM,MONT                 MELROSE,MONT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      60
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
           90                                                       15
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- CAUGHT IN DOWNDRAFT. UNABLE TO CONT FLT. CRASHLANDED. DENSITY ALT 9100 FT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5637Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5637Q-2012-08-27), registration cancelled 2012-08-27, S/N 3017, built 1965 (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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

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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