On July 26, 2003, a Mooney M20C (registration N35KR) was involved in an aviation accident near Blanding, UT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall/spin. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft carrying the pilot and his three grandchildren impacted terrain west and north of runway 17 after witnesses heard two pop sounds. Examination found no engine discrepancies or evidence of structural, powerplant, or systems failure.
Incident Details
The pilot was flying his three grandchildren home so that his granddaughter could celebrate her birthday there. The aircraft took off and soon after, witnesses heard two "pops" that sounded like gunshots. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain approximately 50 feet west and 1,500 feet north of the departure end of runway 17.
Witness Accounts
Multiple witnesses reported hearing the airplane take off, followed by the two pop-like sounds. No further details on the sequence of events were provided in the investigation report.
Engine and Airframe Examination
An examination of the engine showed no discrepancies that would have precluded power from being developed prior to impact. Investigators found no evidence of structural, powerplant, or systems failure. The exact cause of the pop sounds and the subsequent impact remains undetermined based on the available data.