Mooney M20 accident near Big Bear, CA
On November 15, 1997, a Mooney M20 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Big Bear, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- November 15, 1997
- Place
- Big Bear, CA
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.259°N, 116.840°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X09193
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 15, 1997, at 0659 hours Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20, N5231B, operated by the pilot, was destroyed upon descending into upsloping mountainous terrain near the uncontrolled Big Bear City Airport, Big Bear, California. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured during the personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed by the non-instrument rated private pilot. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The airplane was based at the Corona Airport, Corona, California. At 1958, on November 14, the airplane was serviced with 12.3 gallons of 80/87 octane aviation fuel. The airplane's total fuel quantity was not determined. Thereafter, the airplane departed Corona, and arrived at the Big Bear City Airport at an undetermined time. According to management personnel at Aero Haven, the sole refueler at the Big Bear City Airport, no fuel was pumped into the accident airplane on November 14 or 15. Airport management personnel reported that the airplane was parked overnight at the airport. A taxicab driver reported delivering the pilot and passenger to the airplane at 0645 on November 15. A witness at the airport reported observing the pilot perform a preflight inspection of the airplane, and then taxi to the approach end of runway 26 where an engine run-up was performed. Thereafter, the airplane was observed to make a normal takeoff and climbout. The witness lost visual contact with the airplane as it climbed into the clouds which were based approximately 200 feet above ground level. An addi
Probable cause
VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (VMC), which led to spatial disorientation, loss of aircraft control, and an uncontrolled descent into terrain. Related factors were: the adverse weather conditions, the pilot's lack of instrument experience, overconfidence of the pilot in his personal ability, and possible pilot distraction due to an unlatched baggage door, which w
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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.
