Mooney M20E accident near Purdy, WA
On August 2, 1996, a Mooney M20E (airplane) was involved in an accident near Purdy, WA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 2, 1996
- Place
- Purdy, WA
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20E · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 47.360°N, 122.599°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X06611
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 2, 1996, approximately 0119 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Mooney M20E, N9360M, registered to Eagle Flyers, Inc. of Ashland, Oregon, collided with terrain near Purdy, Washington. The aircraft was destroyed and the private pilot, who was not instrument-rated, and one passenger were killed. The 14 CFR 91 flight was en route from Friday Harbor, Washington to Medford, Oregon on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan. The automated weather observation system (AWOS) at Bremerton, Washington, the closest operating weather observation facility to the accident site, reported instrument meteorological conditions (a 600-foot overcast ceiling) at 0116. FAA air traffic service (ATS) records indicated that at 1354 on the afternoon before the accident, the pilot contacted the Seattle automated flight service station (AFSS) and requested an outlook weather briefing for a flight from Lopez Island, Washington, to Medford, Oregon, departing VFR between 0730 and 0800 the following morning. The briefing transcript indicated that the outlook at that time was for marginal VFR conditions in the morning. The pilot stated after receiving this information: "...I...may change my plans and go ahead leave out tonight...." At 1844 on the evening before the accident, according to the FAA ATS record, the pilot again contacted Seattle AFSS and requested an outlook briefing for a Lopez Island to Medford flight, departing VFR at 0730 the following morning. He was informed by the briefer that "it's not looking too good" and was told, "you're gonna have to contend with marginal v f
Probable cause
The noninstrument-rated pilot's continuation of VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions which led to pilot spatial disorientation and loss of control of the aircraft. Factors were: pilot self-induced pressure, night conditions, low ceilings, and the pilot's lack of total instrument time.
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Browse: Washington · Mooney aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
