Mooney M20A accident near Summit Point, WV
On October 24, 2019, a Mooney M20A (airplane) was involved in an accident near Summit Point, WV. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 24, 2019
- Place
- Summit Point, WV
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20A · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 39.253°N, 77.961°W
- NTSB ID
- 20191024X80514
Official records · ERA20FA019
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- FAA Air Traffic Control Audio Recording: Audio recording (WAV), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn October 24, 2019, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20A, N8354E, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Summit Point, West Virginia. The airline transport pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight departed Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport (MRB), Martinsburg, West Virginia, at 1619. As the airplane departed the airport traffic area, the pilot advised the tower controller that “we’re just gonna do a little airwork here and then be back in.” A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) radar tracking data revealed that after departure, the airplane flew south-southwest for about 7 nautical miles and climbed to an altitude of about 2,500 ft mean sea level (msl). It then leveled off and established a groundspeed of about 110-115 knots. Shortly thereafter, the airplane turned to the southeast, gradually descended to about 2,000 ft (about 1,400 ft above ground level (agl)) and slowed to a groundspeed of 60 knots. Over the next 1 minute, the altitude and heading remained relatively constant at about 100°, and the groundspeed gradually decreased to about 46 knots. The airplane then turned right to a heading of about 50°, descended to about 1,700 ft (1,100 ft agl), and the groundspeed increased to 60 knots. It then turned back to the left and resumed its previous heading of about 100°. While at 1,700 ft (1,100 ft agl), the airplane again remained on a relatively constant track, holding altitude, as the groundspeed reduced fro
Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to conduct a practice stall maneuver at low altitude, which resulted in inadequate altitude remaining in which to recover before impacting terrain.
More accidents in WV
- Bell UH-1B, Jun 22, 2022
- Piper PA-34-200T, Jan 30, 2009
- Piper PA-32R-301T, Jul 19, 2004
- Piper PA-32-R-300, Sep 26, 1982
- Piper PA-32RT-300T, Feb 9, 1984
Browse: West Virginia · 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.
