Mooney M-20J accident near Wheaton Springs, CA
On October 23, 2000, a Mooney M-20J (airplane) was involved in an accident near Wheaton Springs, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 23, 2000
- Place
- Wheaton Springs, CA
- Aircraft
- Mooney M-20J · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.960°N, 119.900°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X22183
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 23, 2000, approximately 1440 Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M-20J single engine airplane, N40VF, collided with mountainous terrain while maneuvering in the area of Wheaton Springs, California. The airplane was destroyed and the certificated commercial pilot and his passenger received fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a personal flight by the pilot/owner under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated from the Mesquite Airport, Mesquite, Nevada, earlier that afternoon, and was destined for Fallbrook, California. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the area of the accident and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed. The pilot had departed from Mesquite after making a fuel stop and updating his weather briefing with Reno flight service station (FSS). At the time of the weather update he was advised that VFR flight along his planned route was not recommended. The pilot's son told local enforcement personnel that the pilot and his passenger departed Sun Valley, Idaho, earlier that day with a filed flight plan and a scheduled fuel stop in Mesquite. He added that after refueling, his father would most likely fly closely to I-15 and toward their home in Fallbrook. The flight was approximately 35 miles southwest of Las Vegas when the pilot advised Las Vegas departure control that he was in the clouds and was picking up ice. In his last radio transmission, the pilot stated that he was turning around en route to Jean, Nevada. Radar contact was lost at 1438. When the aircraft did not arrive at Jean
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation and attempted VFR flight into IMC, which resulted in the in-flight collision with mountainous terrain.
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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.
