# NTSB SEA83FA196: Mooney M-20, N231AW, Sandy, OR, June 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1982, 20:00 local (Jun 14, 1982, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Sandy, OR
- Coordinates: 45.380584, -122.230323 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3806&lon=-122.2303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72521
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72521/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA196

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO RISING TERRAIN IN MARGINAL WEATHER CONDITIONS. NO FLT PLAN HAD BEEN FILED. THE ACFT CRASHED 25 MILES FROM THE TAKEOFF POINT ON 6/12/82 AND WAS MISSING UNTIL 9/9/83. THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FROM PORTLAND FSS INDICATING CEILINGS OF 1400 TO 1500 FT AGL AND VISIBILITIES OF 4 TO 5 MILES IN LIGHT RAIN. THE REPORTING STATIONS ELEVATIONS RANGE FROM 23 TO 243 FT MSL. THE ACFT CRASHED AT AN ELEVATION OF 2300 FT MSL IN RISING TERRAIN. THE WRECKAGE INDICATED CONTACT WITH THE TREES WAS MADE IN LEVEL FLT AT HIGH CRUISING SPEED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N231AW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N231AW-2012-08-23), registration cancelled 2012-08-23, S/N 25-0113, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20
- Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-0113
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360GB 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Mak Londahl
- Registered owner: Mak Londahl
- Departed: MULING, OR
- Destination: BEND, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 700 total, 100 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 154 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX, 31 nm away

## 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 19820613022309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820613022309A), Jun 13, 1982: Mooney M20K, OR. Departed VFR with marginal weather en route with mountains obscured. Became missing.

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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