4 fatal · MOONEY M20F · 2011-07-08 · Watsonville, CA, USA
Event
NTSB number
WPR11FA316
Event ID
20110707X35545
Type
Accident
Date
2011-07-08
Location
Watsonville, CA, USA
Coordinates
36.935554, -121.789718
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
4
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
4
Aircraft
Make
MOONEY
Model
M20F
Registration
N7759M
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to take off toward a nearby low cloud layer and the subsequent turn, stall, and spin during the pilot’s attempt to avoid the cloud layer. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to avoid the stall. His ability to avoid the stall was hindered by an inaudible stall warning system of questionable accuracy.