On March 26, 1989, a Mooney M20F (registration N9379M) operated by Drago, Charles R. was involved in an aviation accident near San Andreas, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: INTERRUPTION OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON, AND FAILUE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/SPIN. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: LACK OF ALTITUDE TO RECOVER FROM THE STALL/SPIN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Witnesses reported an interruption of engine power while the aircraft was maneuvering at low altitude, followed by a descent with rotating wings and impact. Evidence indicated a left wing low, nose down attitude.
Incident Overview
Witnesses reported that the aircraft experienced an interruption of engine power while maneuvering at a low altitude. Subsequently, the aircraft entered a descent with its wings rotating and crashed into terrain.
Impact Evidence
A swath through the trees in the impact area indicated that the aircraft was in a left wing low and nose down attitude at the time of the crash. The damage pattern suggested the aircraft struck the ground with a pronounced leftward roll and forward pitch.
Propeller Examination
Examination of the propeller blades revealed chordwise scratches and deep leading edge gouges. Additionally, a tree limb was found at the scene that had been sliced; it contained black paint that matched the paint on the propeller, indicating contact between the propeller and the limb during the accident sequence.