History of Flight
On November 12, 2014, at 1735 mountain standard time, a Mooney M20K (N231JF) struck terrain in Clines Corners, New Mexico. The private pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post-impact fire. The airplane was registered to KI Aircraft LLC and operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Localized instrument meteorological conditions prevailed; the flight was not on a flight plan. The flight departed Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (AMA) at 1616, en route to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
After landing at AMA around 1525, the pilot requested fuel and discussed weather with FBO staff and a business pilot. He mentioned concerns about cloud layers and ice. The pilot departed after performing an engine run-up.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating issued March 21, 2004, and a third-class medical certificate issued March 20, 2014, with no restrictions. He was not instrument rated. Logbooks indicated total flight time of 285.4 hours, with 27.6 hours in the accident airplane. FAA records noted a pilot deviation on August 17, 2014, for unintentionally entering Class A airspace without clearance or an instrument rating while trying to climb out of weather.
Aircraft Information
The Mooney M20K (serial number 25-0075) was a single-engine, four-place aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear, powered by a 210-horsepower Continental Motors TSIO-360-C engine. The last annual inspection was completed on May 9, 2014. The aircraft total time at last logbook entry (December 2012) was 3,445.5 hours. Fueling records show 20.9 gallons of 100LL were added before departure.
Meteorological Information
At 1732, the Clines Corners (CQC) ASOS reported wind 120° at 15 knots, visibility 4 miles with light snow and mist, broken clouds at 800 feet agl, temperature -12°C, dew point -14°C. Nearby stations also reported low ceilings and icing conditions. AIRMET ZULU warned of moderate ice below 16,000 ft msl. Witnesses reported blowing snow and gusty winds.
Communications
The pilot established contact with Albuquerque Center at 1637. At 1716, he reported ice accumulation and requested cloud top information. The controller offered diversion airports; the pilot considered Santa Rosa and Moriarty but continued westbound. At 1725, he stated intent to go to Moriarty Airport (0E0). Radar and communications were lost at 1735.
Wreckage and Impact
The wreckage was located in an open field west of Route 285, 7.5 miles north of Clines Corners. The airplane impacted terrain at about a 60-degree nose-down attitude on a heading of 020°. A post-impact fire ensued. The cockpit was destroyed; engine controls were in the forward position. Trim and flap jackscrews indicated takeoff settings. The landing gear was retracted. Engine examination revealed impact damage and a bent crankshaft; propeller blades showed forward bending.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy attributed the pilot's death to blunt trauma from the accident. FAA toxicology detected ethanol in kidney, muscle, liver, and spleen, but CAMI indicated these levels were likely from putrefaction.
Additional Information
Neither Santa Rosa (SXU) nor Moriarty (0E0) airports had automated weather reports adapted into the Albuquerque Center's ERAM system at the time, so controllers could not retrieve their weather. The CQC ASOS data was adapted but was not provided to the pilot. The controller did not offer the CQC weather or contact the CWSU meteorologist.