Mooney M20C accident near Atkins, Virginia, March 16, 2008
On March 16, 2008 at about 2:34 pm local time, a Mooney M20C, registered CFRSK, was destroyed in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Atkins, Virginia. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper decision to take off in conditions conducive to icing, and his inability to maintain control of the airplane during an in-flight accumulation of structural ice.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 16, 2008 · about 2:34 pm local time
- Place
- Atkins, Virginia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20C · all M20Cs on the register
- Registration
- CFRSK · no longer on the register · serial 690098
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After receiving a weather briefing that indicated a probability of en route icing conditions, the pilot, who was not instrument rated, filed an instrument flight rules flight plan through those conditions. The airplane was not approved for known icing conditions. While en route, the pilot advised air traffic control that the airplane had encountered icing, and requested a lower altitude. The controller approved a descent to the lowest altitude permitted by terrain clearance requirements. After contacting the next en route controller, the pilot again noted icing, and again requested a lower altitude; however, the controller could not approve a further descent due to the same terrain clearance requirements, but authorized a turn. Subsequently, based upon information from another pilot, the controller advised the pilot that he could climb to try to exit the top of the clouds, which the pilot accepted. The airplane began a climb, but the pilot then radioed, "we're going down." When requested by the controller, the pilot confirmed that the airplane was again accumulating ice. Postcrash examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies, and its trajectory through the trees was consistent with a stall/spin.
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
What happened, in order
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
- Structural icing during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Attain/maintain not possible
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to structural icing › Effect on equipment
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to structural icing › Decision related to condition
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 333 hours in all; 175 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,249 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 20, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 2,575 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CRW Charleston WV at 1:50 pm
- Destination: CRG Jacksonville FL
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,400 ft
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 2:40 pm from MKJ, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.