What happened
On November 10, 2010, a Mooney M20F, registration N6878V, crashed into wooded terrain near the summit of Mount Frey in Copake, New York. The flight originated from Lorain County Regional Airport in Elyria, Ohio, and was operating under instrument flight rules (IFR) toward Walter J Koladza Airport (GBR) in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
As the aircraft approached GBR, the pilot was in contact with Albany terminal radar approach control. At 1921, the pilot requested a visual approach to runway 29. Following instructions to descend from 7,000 feet to 4,000 feet, the pilot elected to cancel the IFR clearance. After the cancellation was processed, the pilot was instructed to change the transponder code, and no further communications were received.
Radar data indicated that following the cancellation, the aircraft began a descent on a northeasterly track. The aircraft's altitude decreased rapidly: at 1939:12, it was at 2,900 feet; by 1939:45, it had descended to 2,400 feet; and by 1939:54, it was at 2,100 feet. At this time, the aircraft was approximately 1,000 feet from the summit of Mount Frey, which has an elevation of approximately 2,000 feet. The aircraft subsequently struck trees and came to rest inverted.
The accident resulted in 2 fatal injuries.
The investigation
The wreckage was located by a hunter on November 11, 2010. The aircraft's main wreckage was found inverted near the summit of Mount Frey, with a 500-foot debris path originating from tree strikes. A postcrash fire consumed the cockpit and fuselage.
Mechanical examination of the engine and propeller did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions. While the engine sustained impact damage and thermal damage, a borescope examination of the cylinders showed no catastrophic failures, and oil was present throughout. The elevator trim jackscrew was found set at an approximate takeoff trim setting.