Mooney M20K accident near Grand Canyon, AZ
On August 2, 1996, a Mooney M20K (airplane) was involved in an accident near Grand Canyon, AZ. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 2, 1996
- Place
- Grand Canyon, AZ
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20K · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 36.030°N, 112.019°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X06539
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 2, 1996, about 1008 hours mountain standard time, a Mooney M20K, N4634H, en route to Shalz Field in Colby, Kansas, descended from flight level (FL) 210 and collided with a canyon wall and burned in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, the sole occupant, received fatal injuries. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight by the pilot/owner when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Torrance, California, at 0742 on the morning of the accident. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the en route cruising altitude and an IFR flight plan was filed. At 0906, the Los Angeles ARTCC Sector 6 controller advised the pilot that he had lost his transponder signal and requested that he recycle the code 7372. At 0908, the controller advised the pilot that he was receiving his transponder and that he was now 15 miles south of Needles, California. The pilot replied that he was 13.4 miles south and the controller agreed. At 0909, the controller advised the pilot that he had an intermittent transponder and asked if he had another one onboard. The pilot replied that he did not, but that he would recycle his code again. The controller mentioned to the pilot that the transponder was working fine until he began his climb. At 0911, the pilot reported level at 17,000 msl and was advised that he was in radar contact over Needles. At 0916, the controller handed off the pilot to Denver ARTCC. At 0939, the Denver controller advised the pilot that the current altimeter for Grand Canyon was now 30.35
Probable cause
due to an in-flight loss of control resulting from a probable incapacitation for unknown reasons. The loss of control occurred while the aircraft was being flown in close proximity to a level 6 thunderstorm. The failure of the pilot to obtain current weather information was a factor in this accident.
More accidents in AZ
- De Havilland DHC-6-300, Sep 27, 1989
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- Cessna 421C, Sep 2, 1995
Browse: Arizona · 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.
