History of Flight
On November 23, 2017, about 1515 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20, N6894N, was destroyed when it struck terrain near Starke, Florida. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was privately owned and operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated around 1419 from Ocala International Airport-Jim Taylor Field (OCF) to Cecil Airport (VQQ), Jacksonville, Florida.
Earlier that day, a friend who flew as a passenger with the pilot on a flight to OCF reported that the weather became "very turbulent" during approach. After landing, it was "very windy and raining very hard." The pilot expressed his need to reach VQQ for his daughter's birthday and Thanksgiving. Although he initially agreed to wait, after about 45 minutes he decided to depart, stating he was "gonna go for it."
According to FAA radar and communication data, after departing OCF, the pilot was instructed to climb and maintain 3,000 ft. The controller cleared him direct to VQQ and later to the initial approach fix for the ILS runway 36R approach. The controller noted the target was "going all over the place," which the pilot attributed to wind. The pilot declined an offer to try a different altitude.
The airplane was cleared for the ILS approach but the pilot read back an incorrect altitude. At 1501, the controller issued a low altitude alert to VQQ tower. The pilot subsequently requested radar vectors for a second ILS attempt. During vectors, low altitude alarms were triggered. The pilot indicated he could climb but needed a long approach. The controller suggested landing at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), which had better conditions, and the pilot accepted. However, after initial vectors, the pilot did not acknowledge the altitude assignment, and radar contact was lost at 1515. The wreckage was located at 1600 in a field about 18 nautical miles south-southwest of VQQ.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 73, held a private pilot certificate with single-engine and instrument ratings, and a third-class medical certificate issued July 11, 2016. His logbook showed 3,146 total flight hours, with 400 hours in the accident airplane model, and 4 hours in the previous 90 days. He recorded 527 actual instrument hours, with 18 such hours since January 1, 2016, 8 of which were in 2017. The logbook indicated he did not meet FAA recency requirements for IFR flight.
Aircraft Information
The single-engine Mooney M20, manufactured in 1968, was powered by a Lycoming O-360-A1D engine (180 hp) with a Hartzell three-bladed controllable-pitch propeller. The last annual inspection was August 1, 2017, at 2,895.49 tachometer hours. At impact, the tachometer read 2,911.22 hours. The last altimeter/pitot-static and transponder test was June 15, 2015.
Meteorological Information
Observations at VQQ at 1511 included wind from 030° at 12 knots, 2 miles visibility in mist, overcast ceiling at 900 ft agl. At Keystone Airpark (42J) at 1515, wind was 040° at 8 knots, visibility 10+ miles, broken ceiling 800 ft, overcast 1,100 ft. Weather radar showed light to moderate echoes along the flight path, with the accident track through 30-40 dBZ echoes at 1513. The pilot did not request a weather briefing.
Wreckage and Impact
The wreckage came to rest on a 314° heading about 18 miles from VQQ at Camp Blanding Military Reservation. The fuselage broke into two parts, separating aft of the rear seat. All flight control surfaces were accounted for but damaged. Fuel selector was in left wing position; 10 gallons of aviation fuel was drained from the left tank. The engine exhibited thumb compression and valve train movement. Propeller blades showed damage consistent with rotation at impact. No preimpact anomalies were found.
Additional Information
The FAA's General Aviation Joint Steering Committee describes spatial disorientation as sensory conflicts when visibility is restricted. FAA Advisory Circular 60-22 notes the behavioral trap of "get-there-itis," where fixation on the destination impairs judgment.
Medical and Pathological
An autopsy determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force trauma. Toxicology was negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and drugs except for salicylates (aspirin).