On August 13, 1989, a Mooney M20F (registration N6960V) was involved in an aviation accident near Mound City, KS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO AN AREA OF THUNDERSTORMS & HEAVY RAIN WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THUNDERSTORMS AND HEAVY RAIN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft flying near Mound City during a rapidly building storm cell was heard to experience an engine rev-up followed by an impact. The storm cell, not observed on radar, was sizable enough for circumnavigation.
Incident
On the day of the accident, the pilot-in-command obtained a weather briefing and was advised of widely scattered storm activity along the intended route. The aircraft was observed in the vicinity of Mound City around 1400 local time.
Weather Conditions
Witnesses observed a rapidly building storm cell southwest of Mound City that was moving northeast. The storm cell dumped huge amounts of rain in a short period. The aircraft was heard flying in the vicinity during the heaviest event of the storm. The storm cell was not observed on radar, but it was observed to be of such size as to allow for circumnavigation.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses reported hearing the sound of an engine rev-up followed by the sound of an impact. No further details were available from the witnesses.
Investigation
The investigation is ongoing. No probable cause has been stated at this time.