Mooney 20F accident near Campobello, SC
On December 28, 2003, a Mooney 20F (airplane) was involved in an accident near Campobello, SC. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 28, 2003
- Place
- Campobello, SC
- Aircraft
- Mooney 20F · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 35.181°N, 82.064°W
- NTSB ID
- 20040105X00010
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 28, 2003, at 1310 Eastern Standard Time, a Mooney 20F, N2996L, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with trees and the ground while maneuvering in the vicinity of Campobello, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from Petersburg, Ohio, on December 28, 2003, at 1015. Witnesses stated they heard an airplane approaching their location. They looked up and observed an airplane flying to the north between 100 to 200 feet above the trees. The engine revved up in power, decreased in power, and revved up again. Another witness stated, "the engine was making a popping sound, and cutting in and out." The airplane was observed to make a steep right turn, and the right wing was perpendicular to the ground. The nose of the airplane went down and the airplane disappeared from view. A few seconds later both witnesses heard an impact sound as the airplane collided with the ground. They went inside and called the 911 telephone operator. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Review of information on file with the FAA Airman's Certification Division, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, revealed the commercial pilot was issued a commercial pilot certificate on April 11, 1999, with ratings for airplane single engine land, and airplane multiengine land. In addition the pilot held a mechanic certificate issued on June 30, 1993, with ratings for airframe mechanic and power plant mechanic. The pilot held a
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering for an emergency landing resulting in an inadvertent stall and a collision with trees and the ground during an uncontrolled descent. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
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Browse: South 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.
