Mooney M20F accident near Diablo, CA
On February 9, 2019, a Mooney M20F (airplane) was involved in an accident near Diablo, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- February 9, 2019
- Place
- Diablo, CA
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20F · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 37.872°N, 121.924°W
- NTSB ID
- 20190209X04832
Official records · WPR19FA083
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn February 8, 2019, about 2010 Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20F airplane, N3270F, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Diablo, California. The student pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) radar information indicated that the accident airplane departed Hayward Executive Airport (HWS), Hayward, California, at 2003 and established a northeasterly heading toward the destination airport at an altitude about 2,800 ft mean sea level (msl). The airplane proceeded on this heading and approximate altitude until the final radar return at 2010, in the vicinity of the accident site. The FAA issued an Alert Notice (ALNOT) for the missing airplane after the pilot did not arrive at his planned destination. The wreckage was located the next day by hikers about 1,000 ft below and 3/4 mile southwest of the summit of Mount Diablo (elevation 3,849 ft msl). Several state park employees were located on Mount Diablo on the night of the accident. One officer, located at an elevation of about 2,500 ft msl, reported that the weather was foggy and wet. Another officer, located about 2,150 ft msl, reported intermittent rain and wind. The superintendent, who lived on the mountain, heard a low-flying airplane about the time of the accident and stated that the engine sounded loud, and that it was low. The weather windy and cloudy. A visitor center facility, on top of which was a red light, was located at the summit of Mount Diablo. Additionally, t
Probable cause
The student pilot’s decision to depart on a visual flight rules flight into reduced visibility night conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into 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.
