Casualties unknown

1992-12-25: Mooney M20C (N6878N) — Fatheree, Thomas H. — Deridder, LA

Deridder, LA, US

On December 25, 1992, a Mooney M20C (registration N6878N) operated by Fatheree, Thomas H. was involved in an aviation accident near Deridder, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE IN IMC. A FACTOR WAS HIS LACK OF RECENT INSTRUMENT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane flew three hours cross-country in IFR conditions without a flight plan or ATC contact. It crashed near the destination airport, impacting nose-down, left-wing-low. No pre-impact failures were found; the pilot was not current for instrument flight.

Flight Details

The airplane conducted a cross-country flight lasting approximately three hours. The flight was conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions, but no flight plan was filed and no contact was made with air traffic control (ATC). The destination was an uncontrolled airport.

Accident Sequence

The burning wreckage was discovered in a field located under the missed approach flight path in the vicinity of the destination airport. The airplane impacted the ground in a nose-down, left-wing-down attitude.

Weather Conditions

At the time of the accident, the weather was reported as 500 feet overcast with restricted visibility and rain.

Pilot Information

An instructor who was a part owner of the airplane stated that the pilot had received a biennial flight review (BFR) 30 months prior to the accident. According to the instructor, the pilot was not current for instrument flight at the time of the accident.

Post-Accident Examination

No evidence of pre-impact failure or malfunction was found in the airframe, powerplant, or aircraft systems.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X16155. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.