Mooney M20 accident near Big Bear, California, November 15, 1997
On November 15, 1997 at about 2:59 pm local time, a Mooney M20, registered N5231B, was destroyed in an accident near Big Bear, California (Big Bear City airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (VMC), which led to spatial disorientation, loss of aircraft control, and an uncontrolled descent into terrain. Related factors were: the adverse weather conditions, the pilot's lack of instrument experience, overconfidence of the pilot in his personal ability, and possible pilot distraction due to an unlatched baggage door, which was not properly secured during preflight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 15, 1997 · about 2:59 pm local time
- Place
- Big Bear, California · Big Bear City · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20 · all M20s on the register
- Registration
- N5231B · registry record · serial 1094
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non-instrument rated pilot performed a preflight inspection, and taxied east to the approach end of runway 26, where he made an engine run-up. Weather at the airport was reported to be 200 feet overcast, visibility 3/4 mile with fog, and the wind calm. Witnesses indicated that to the east, they observed blue sky and the rising sun, while to the west and south, they observed low clouds and restricted visibility. The pilot elected to takeoff west on runway 26. Witnesses indicated that after takeoff, the airplane climbed into the clouds, and within 60 seconds, it descended from the clouds in a steep left bank. The airplane crashed on a mountainside, 0.8 miles from the airport, while in a nose low and steep left bank attitude. Impact occurred at an elevation of about 6,850 feet; elevation of the airport was 6,748 feet. The accident occurred 10 days after the pilot was issued a private pilot certificate. Examination of the wreckage revealed evidence of oil leakage in an aft direction on the airplane's belly and on the engine's exterior. Also, a puddle of oil was found on the hangar floor, below where the engine would have been, while the airplane was parked. However, no evidence of oil starvation, overheat distress signatures, or loss of engine power were found. The attitude indicator had a history of precession. The baggage compartment door of the airplane and the pilot's lap belt were found unlatched. No maintenance logs were located. The pilot's former flight instructor (CFI) reported that the pilot had 'tinkered' with the engine to stop oil leakage. Also, the CFI characterized the pilot as being an aggressive student.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 96 hours in all; 92 in this make and model; 96 in the last 90 days; 32 in the last 30 days; 56 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,300 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 20, 1997; 92 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,450 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-3 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: L35 at 2:58 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 5,850 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 0.8 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 200 ft
- Temperature: 19°F (-7°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:00 pm from L35, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.