Mooney M20C N6834N

Summary

On 3 January 2004 at about 20:45 local time, a Mooney M20C registered N6834N, operated by Michael Stephens, was involved in an accident near Amarillo, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 January 2004 at 20:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Amarillo, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Tradewind Airport (TDW)

Coordinates

35.1683, -101.8333

Aircraft

Mooney M20C

Registration

N6834N

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Michael Stephens

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Amarillo → Lamesa

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW04FA055

1 person died.

The pilot's incapacitation due to chest pains, resulting in a loss of control.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Shortly after take off, the 1,142-hour pilot reported over the radio that he was having "chest pains" and wanted to return to the "ground." A witness observed the airplane as it headed south at an approximate altitude of 1,200 to 1,500 feet above ground level. He then saw the airplane make a descending, 180-degree right turn. The airplane continued to descend (approximately 150-200 feet per minute) until it disappeared from his view. The witness added that the engine was "loud" and operating at full power during the turn. The landing gear was up, and there were no "apparent difficulties" with the airplane. Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical deficiencies. A review of the pilot's personal medical records revealed that in the months preceding the accident the pilot had been found to have high blood sugar, high triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol, all of which are risk factors for coronary heart disease.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.