ATL82FA032
NTSB Identification: ATL82FA032
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, January 10, 1982 in HENDERSON, NC
Probable Cause Approval Date: 1/10/1983
Aircraft: MOONEY M20G, registration: N3688N
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious.

THE PILOT AND HIS WIFE WERE AT 6000 FT ON A VFR CROSS-COUNTRY WHEN HE BECAME UNCONSCIOUS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A WING LEVELER AND CONTINUED IN LEVEL FLIGHT WHILE THE PILOT'S WIFE ATTENDED TO HIM. WHEN THE PILOT'S WIFE COULD DO NOTHING MORE FOR HIM, SHE REMOVED HIS GLASSES, WHICH HAD THE MICROPHONE AND EARPHONE ATTACHED, AND PUT THEM ON. SHE CALLED FOR HELP, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RECEIVE A REPLY. SHE STATED THAT THE EARPHONE DID NOT FIT HER EAR AND THE GLASSES WERE TOO WIDE. SHE WAS NOT A PILOT, BUT SHE MANAGED TO CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT WHILE SHE LOOKED FOR AN AIRPORT. AFTER A WHILE, SHE ELECTED TO LAND IN A FIELD. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE SHORT OF THE INTENDED LANDING AREA. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO AN EMPTY TANK. THE OTHER TANK STILL CONTAINED FUEL.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

INCAPACITATION(CARDIOVASCULAR)..PILOT IN COMMAND
FLUID,FUEL..STARVATION
FUEL TANK SELECTOR POSITION..NOT UNDERSTOOD..PASSENGER


Contributing Factors

OBJECT..TREE(S)

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