Mooney M20C accident near Roxboro, NC
On December 28, 1996, a Mooney M20C (airplane) was involved in an accident near Roxboro, NC. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 28, 1996
- Place
- Roxboro, NC
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20C · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 36.401°N, 78.980°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07129
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 28, 1996, about 1009 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20C, N7773M, collided with the ground during uncontrolled flight in Roxboro, North Carolina. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed. An instrument flight plan was filed for the personal flight, but not activated. The private pilot and his passenger were fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight to Mt. Airy, North Carolina was originating at the time of the accident. Witnesses observed the airplane depart runway 24 at the Person County Airport. A flight instructor on the airport taxiway estimated that the visibility was less than one mile, with an indefinite ceiling of about 200 feet above ground level. At 1005:41, the flight made an initial radio call to Raleigh approach control. At 1006:16 the pilot announced "I've just lost my vacuum." There was no further radio contact with N7773M. Initial radar data indicated that the airplane was in a left turn about 1/2 mile southwest of Person County Airport. The radar data initially depicted the airplane at 900 feet mean sea level (msl). Airport elevation is 609 feet msl. The airplane climbed to a maximum of 1,400 feet msl, while in a left turn. The left turn lasted until the airplane had turned about 270 degrees. After that point, the flight path became erratic. The last altitude depicted was 1,300 feet, about 2 miles south of the airport. The wreckage was located about 1/2 mile south of Person County Airport in a w
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane, due to spatial disorientation. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's use of an unapproved drug, low ceiling, restricted visibility (fog), and an undetermined anomaly with the vacuum system.
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Browse: North Carolina · 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.
