# NTSB SEA83FA095: Mooney M20, N6532B, Edmonds, WA, May 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1983, 21:26 local (May 14, 1983, 05:26 UTC)
- Place: Edmonds, WA
- Coordinates: 47.800281, -122.369407 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8003&lon=-122.3694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39609
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39609/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA095

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - interpersonal relations, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD EARLIER VISITED HIS FIANCEE. SHE STATED THAT HE WAS INTOXICATED & SHE GAVE BACK HER ENGAGEMENT RING TO HIM. HE WAS LATER OBSERVED DEPARTING THE ARPT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER POLICE BEGAN RECEIVING COMPLAINTS OF A LOW FLYING ACFT OVERTHE BEACH AREA. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING ALONG THE BEACH AT 50 FT AGL. APPROACHING A PIER, THE ACFT MADE A STEEP TURN & COLLIDED WITH THE WATER. THE PLT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.137%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6532B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6532B-1985-12-11), registration cancelled 1985-12-11, S/N 1199 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20
- Registry model: [Mooney M20](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20) (registry code 5870202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1199
- Airframe hours: 2872
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald S. Helm
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1982, 11 hours before
- Departed: S43, SNOHOMISH, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 542 total, 250 in this make and model, 501 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19830513019019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830513019019A), May 13, 1983: Mooney M20, Edmonds, WA, Destroyed. Intoxicated pilot crashed into water during a steep low altitude bank while buzzing a nearby beach area.

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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