N1170ZMOONEY M20K 1988-11-16 NTSB Accident Report

Destroyed
Fatal

MOONEY M20K S/N: 25-0704

Summary

On November 16, 1988, a Mooney M20K (N1170Z) was involved in an accident near Holden, MA. The accident resulted in 1 fatal injury. The aircraft was destroyed.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND CONTACT WITH TREES PRIOR TO REGAINING CONTROL AFTER THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN UNKNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOPILOT. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE LACK OF RECENT NIGHT EXPERIENCE.

This accident is documented in NTSB report NYC89FA032. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N1170Z.

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, November 16, 1988
NTSB Number
NYC89FA032
Location
HOLDEN, MA
Event ID
20001213X27333
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
Highest Injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND CONTACT WITH TREES PRIOR TO REGAINING CONTROL AFTER THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN UNKNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOPILOT. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE LACK OF RECENT NIGHT EXPERIENCE.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
MOONEY
Serial Number
25-0704
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1982
Model / ICAO
M20K M20T
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
LEVINE JULES L
Address
8 COLONY BVD APT 302
Status
Deregistered
City
WILMINGTON
State / Zip Code
DE 19802
Country
United States

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC89FA032