Mooney M20J accident near Placerville, CA
On July 18, 1997, a Mooney M20J (airplane) was involved in an accident near Placerville, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- July 18, 1997
- Place
- Placerville, CA
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20J · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.729°N, 120.800°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X08412
Official records · LAX97FA253
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT: On July 18, 1997, at 1042 hours Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N405LA, collided with trees and a residence while on final approach to runway 23 at the Placerville, California airport. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and postimpact fire. The private pilot and one passenger received fatal injuries. The fire destroyed the rear deck of the unoccupied residence. The airplane was operated as a business flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot/owner when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Van Nuys, California, at 0810, and was destined for Placerville. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. A witness working at the Placerville airport office heard the last known radio transmission from the pilot. The witness heard the pilot on the airport's Unicom frequency announce that he was on a "straight-in, 5 mile final for runway 23." Several minutes later, he heard the same pilot announce that he was on a "2 mile final to runway 23 at Placerville." No additional transmissions were heard. The witness stated that there was no change in the sound of the pilot's voice to indicate an emergency. He did not hear a distress call or a "microphone being keyed." In written statements made to the Safety Board, witnesses saw the airplane make a descending, "low, sweeping turn southwest" just above the tree line, in a "left wing down" configuration. They then heard a loud bang and observed smoke. Witness accounts varied in their remembrance of engine noise; some recalled hearing the engine
Probable cause
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
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Browse: California · 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.
