Mooney M20M accident near Pomona, CA

On November 18, 2011, a Mooney M20M (airplane) was involved in an accident near Pomona, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.

Date

November 18, 2011

Place

Pomona, CA

Aircraft

Mooney M20M · Airplane

Injuries

1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Substantial

Position

34.084°N, 117.764°W

NTSB ID

20111121X70533

Official records · WPR12FA044

• Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation

Air traffic control records

• FAA ATC Statements: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 18, 2011, about 1415 Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20M, N741SB, impacted a horse-racing track at the Pomona Fairplex, Pomona, California, while maneuvering for landing at Brackett Field (POC), La Verne, California. The pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that departed El Monte Airport (EMT), El Monte, California, about 1400. No flight plan had been filed. A witness reported seeing the airplane out of his window, flying low over his neighbor's house, about two houses over from his. He stated that the speed seemed slow compared to what he has seen in the past; his house is located on the regular flight path for the airport. The witness rushed to the other side of the house, and saw the airplane between his house and the race track. The airplane was on a north-northeast heading and then banked to the left. He thought that the airplane was going to make an off-airport landing, and was relieved when the airplane banked to the left. The witness reported that he thought the airplane was going "to make it." The witness reported that the airplane, all of a sudden, spun clockwise and dove toward the ground. He lost sight of the airplane, but heard a "crash pop like sound," and immediately called 911. The witness also reported that there were overcast conditions at the time of the accident. Written statements provided

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear obstructions while maneuvering on the base leg of the traffic pattern for landing.

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.