Mooney M20J N58155
16 October 1988 · Ludington, Michigan, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 16 October 1988 at about 14:50 local time, a Mooney M20J registered N58155 was involved in an accident near Ludington, Michigan, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 14:50
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Ludington, Michigan, United States
- Coordinates
- 43.9492, -86.4406
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20J
- Registration
- N58155
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Ludington → Wheeling
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- IMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI89FA009
People
2 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT IN COMMAND FAILED TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE UTILIZING BASIC FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS WHILE EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF GYRO INSTRUMENTS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT CONTACTED MINNEAPOLIS CENTER TO ACTIVATE AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN AND SUBSEQUENTLY REPORTED A COMPLETE GYRO FAILURE. THE PILOT WAS BEING GIVEN A NO-GYRO TURN TO THE NEAREST AVAILABLE AIRPORT WHEN THE AIRPLANE DISAPPEARED OFF RADAR. THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED IN A LAKE ALMOST DIRECTLY BENEATH THE LAST KNOWN RADAR LOCATION. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED A SHEARED VACUUM PUMP SHAFT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Mooney M20J accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Nov 1988 | Mooney M20J | San Diego, California, United States | Flyers Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 24 Jun 1988 | Mooney M20J | Portland, Texas, United States | Winkle, James W. | No injuries | - |
| 5 Jul 1988 | Mooney M20J | Thief Rvr Falls, Minnesota, United States | Willmar Air Service Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 24 Aug 1988 | Mooney M20J | Inyokern, California, United States | Flightworks Aviation, Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
| 11 Dec 1988 | Mooney M20J | New Alexandria, Pennsylvania, United States | William A. Jardine | No injuries | - |
| 3 Dec 1988 | Mooney M20J | Vermillion, Illinois, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Jan 1988 | Cessna 172P | Jenison, Michigan, United States | Dave | No injuries | - |
| 4 Feb 1988 | Beechcraft A36 | Pontiac, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Oct 1988 | Piper PA-31-350 | Big Rapids, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 13 Feb 1988 | Cessna 152 | Lansing, Michigan, United States | Carlson Aviation Service, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 11 Feb 1988 | Cessna 172F | Brighton, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 7 Nov 1988 | Cessna 150J | Carson City, Michigan, United States | Vandenburg, Jerome A. | No injuries | - |