Pilot Debrief

Mooney M20J near Cape May, NJ — 2019-05-29

Final reportERA19FA184
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Date
2019-05-29
Location
Cape May, NJ, USA
Aircraft
Mooney M20J
Registration
N201DG
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's intentional flight into water as an act of suicide.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was seen by multiple witnesses flying low just above the ocean surface near the shoreline. One witness stated that he saw the airplane flying about 10 ft above the ocean when it contacted the water, climbed about 100 to 200 ft, then entered a steep dive and impacted the water in a near-vertical attitude. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no pre-impact mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Following a death investigation, the state medical examiner classified the manner of death as suicide.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided low-altitude maneuvers near the water.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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