On June 25, 1993, a Mooney M20K (registration N5655M) operated by Ronald E. Venema was involved in an aviation accident near Hobart, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: undetermined. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Aircraft departs in light mist, goes missing over Lake Michigan. Search yields no wreckage; pieces found along shore match the aircraft's colors. Pilot presumed dead.
Departure and Search
The airplane was observed departing in light mist by the airport manager and three other persons. The aircraft subsequently became overdue, prompting a search by the Civil Air Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard. The southern portion of Lake Michigan and surrounding land mass were searched with negative results.
Maintenance History
Approximately one week prior to the missing airplane's departure, an employee of the pilot was directed by the pilot to change the vacuum pump. The mechanic was not able to do so. The mechanic stated the pilot told him he had removed the pump later in the week. No evidence of such maintenance was found during the investigation.
Discovery of Debris
Pieces of an airplane have been found along the Michigan lakeshore which match the airplane's interior and exterior colors. The pilot is presumed dead.