# NTSB WPR11CA036: Aerostar Acft Corp Of Texas M20E, N9614V, Seligman, AZ, November 1, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 1, 2010, 00:30 local (07:30 UTC) - Place: Seligman, AZ - Coordinates: 35.33472, -112.886108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3347&lon=-112.8861&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 77724 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77724/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77724 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA036 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight planning. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerostar Acft Corp Of Texas M20E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=5870312), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerostar Acft Corp Of Texas M20E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=5870312), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Aerostar Acft Corp Of Texas M20E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=5870312), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Aerostar Acft Corp Of Texas M20E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=5870312), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, he turned to his intended heading and climbed to a predetermined cruise altitude to maintain clearance from terrain during the night visual flight rules cross-country flight. Following an uneventful cruise phase of the flight, the pilot observed what he believed to be his destination airport and initiated a descent. The pilot stated that he was unable to turn on the airport runway lights and decided to continue the descent to the airport's traffic pattern altitude of 4,500 feet mean sea level (msl) while circling the airport. During the second circle and descent, the pilot aborted the descent and began to initiate a climb whereupon the airplane impacted terrain at an elevation of about 5,200 feet msl. The pilot reported that he was surprised when local law enforcement informed him that he was in Seligman, Arizona, instead of his intended destination of Boulder City, Nevada. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact anomalies with the airplane that would have contributed to the accident and that "all systems were working." The pilot added that prior to the flight; he estimated an approximate heading and altitude needed for the flight to his destination airport. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, he turned to his intended heading and climbed to a predetermined cruise altitude to maintain clearance from terrain during the night visual flight rules cross-country flight. Following an uneventful cruise phase of the flight, the pilot observed what he believed to be his destination airport and initiated a descent. The pilot stated that he was unable to turn on the airport runway lights and decided to continue the descent to the airport's traffic pattern altitude of 4,500 feet mean sea level (msl) while circling the airport. During the second circle and descent, the pilot aborted the descent and began to initiate a climb whereupon the airplane impacted terrain at an elevation of about 5,200 feet msl. The pilot reported that he was surprised when local law enforcement informed him that he was in Seligman, Arizona, instead of his intended destination of Boulder City, Nevada. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact anomalies with the airplane that would have contributed to the accident and that "all systems were working." The pilot added that prior to the flight; he estimated an approximate heading and altitude needed for the flight to his destination airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9614V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9614V-2013-02-15), registration cancelled 2013-02-15, S/N 21-0020, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROSTAR ACFT CORP OF TEXAS M20E - Registry model: [Aerostar Acft Corp Of Texas M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-acft-corp-of-texas-m20e) (registry code 5870312) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21-0020 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Randy Donnarumma - Registered owner: Randy Donnarumma - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Kingman, AZ - Destination: Boulder City, NV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 345 total, 27 in this make and model, 112 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 150° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: KCMR, 34 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 20101101050729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101101050729A), Nov 1, 2010: Aerostar Ac M20E, Seligman, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot became disoriented during night flight and began a descent to land at an airport that was not the destination airport. Destination airport boulder city,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 9, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77724. 362 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 338 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340415&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340416&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF 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.