# NTSB Accident NYC89FA032
> **MOONEY M20K** · 1988-11-16 · HOLDEN, MA, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** NYC89FA032
- **Event ID:** 20001213X27333
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 1988-11-16
- **Location:** HOLDEN, MA, USA
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 1
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 1
## Aircraft
- **Make:** MOONEY
- **Model:** M20K
- **Registration:** N1170Z
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** NDRK
- **Weather:** IMC
## Probable cause

INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND CONTACT WITH TREES PRIOR TO REGAINING CONTROL AFTER THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN UNKNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOPILOT. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE LACK OF RECENT NIGHT EXPERIENCE.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=NYC89FA032) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*