Mooney M-20J accident near Monroe, NC
On June 6, 2001, a Mooney M-20J (airplane) was involved in an accident near Monroe, NC. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 6, 2001
- Place
- Monroe, NC
- Aircraft
- Mooney M-20J · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 35.018°N, 80.620°W
- NTSB ID
- 20010613X01164
Official records · MIA01FA151
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- FAA Charlotte Air Traffic Control Transcript of Radio Communications: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 6, 2001, about 1735 eastern daylight time, and Mooney M20J, N4780H, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed while approaching to land at Monroe, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot, and two passengers received fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight departed from Charlotte, North Carolina, the same day, about 1720. According to the FAA Charlotte Air Traffic Control Tower's record of communications, the pilot of N4780H had filed an IFR flight plan from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Jacksonville, North Carolina, and at 1730:24, while en route, and after having missed radio communication calls from the FAA Charlotte departure controller, the pilot responded informing the controller that he was having electrical problems. The pilot further stated to the controller that he may need to "get down" to the nearest airport, but added that it was not an emergency yet. At 1730:31 the FAA controller responded telling the pilot of an airport that was about 2 miles behind him, or the Monroe Airport, which was about 6 miles ahead, which had more services available. At 1730:40, the pilot responded indicating that he would rather proceed to the Monroe Airport. At 1730:57, the pilot reported the airport in sight and he will go direct. At 1731:59, the controller cleared the pilot for the visual approach, stating that he believed that runway 23 was in use, and telling the pilot t
Probable cause
The pilot in command’s failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering to avoid objects, resulting in a stall/mush and collision with the terrain during uncontrolled descent. Contributing to the accident was the improper approach to land and his failure to maintain the proper altitude on approach.
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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.
