Mooney M20C accident near Grace, ID
On July 18, 2011, a Mooney M20C (airplane) was involved in an accident near Grace, ID. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 18, 2011
- Place
- Grace, ID
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20C · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 42.601°N, 111.728°W
- NTSB ID
- 20110718X20352
Official records · WPR11FA335
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 18, 2011, at 1746 mountain daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N6855N, impacted terrain while on approach to Simpson Airport (ID62), Grace, Idaho. The pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal cross-country flight. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Afton, Wyoming. No flight plan had been filed. According to witnesses traveling south in an automobile on highway 34, the airplane flew overhead, made a slight right bank, and then banked to the left toward the runway. The witnesses reported that they were able to hear the engine as the airplane passed overhead; there were no unusual sounds coming from the engine. They also stated that the landing gear was in the UP position. The witnesses reported that the airplane appeared to be in a 45-degree left bank as it turned towards the runway. The top of the airplane’s fuselage and wings were fully visible to them. The witnesses then saw the airplane drop behind the sagebrush. They saw a cloud of smoke; they called 911, and responded to the site to render aid until emergency medical services (EMS) arrived. The witnesses further reported that the weather was clear, with no wind. PERSONNEL INFORMATION A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the 46-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. The pilot held an FAA third-class medica
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
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Browse: Idaho · 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.
