Mooney M20J accident near Norton, VA
On April 21, 2000, a Mooney M20J (airplane) was involved in an accident near Norton, VA. 5 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 21, 2000
- Place
- Norton, VA
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20J · Airplane
- Injuries
- 5 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 36.931°N, 82.619°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X20892
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 21, 2000, about 1145 Eastern Daylight Time, a Mooney M20J, N5632H, was destroyed when it impacted terrain in Norton, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and four passengers were fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Nashville International Airport (BNA), Nashville, Tennessee, destined for the Roanoke Regional/Woodrum Field Airport, Roanoke, Virginia. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. About 0915, the pilot received an in-person weather briefing at the BNA Flight Service Station (FSS), and filed an IFR flight plan. The airplane departed BNA from Runway 2C, at 1023. According to communication transcripts received from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), at 1138:43, the airplane was in cruise flight at 9,000 feet, in contact with the Indianapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), when the pilot reported he was "riding in the tops of the clouds," and requested a climb to 11,000 feet. At 1140:01, the airplane was cleared to climb to 10,000 feet, and about 1 minute later, the airplane was cleared to 11,000 feet. At 1141:37, the pilot was instructed to contact the Atlanta ARTCC. At 1141:50, the pilot contacted Atlanta ARTCC, and stated he was at an altitude of 9,000 feet. When asked to verify he was climbing to 11,000 feet, the pilot responded "roger." There were no further communications from the pilot. Review of radar data obtained from the FAA for the accident flight revealed the airplane "
Probable cause
The pilot's improper weather evaluation, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors in this accident were icing conditions, and aircraft loading which exceed the airplane's weight and balance limitations.
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Browse: Virginia · 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.
