# Accident 20020523014249A: Mooney M20J, Charleston, SC, May 23, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 23, 2002, 18:45 local time
- Place: Charleston, SC
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.7008° N, 80.0028° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7008&lon=-80.0028&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4560H, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4560H-2013-09-13) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Mooney M20J (registry code 5870219, https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 series (registry code 41515, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL02LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA103) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020523014249A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED CHARLESTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (CHS) FOR HISTON HEAD (HXD). THE PILOT STATED HE EXPERIENCED LOST OIL PRESSURE SOON AFTER DEPARTURE FOLLOWED BY SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE COWLING AND THEN A VIGOROUS VIBRATION. A WITNESS STATED HE SAW A HEAVY TRAIL OF WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, STRUCK A POWER LINE, HIT THE PAVEMENT INVERTED AND SKIDDED APPROXIMATELY 100 YARDS TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. DURING THE INITIAL ON SCENE INVESTIGATION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE BELLY OF THE ENTIRE FUSELAGE WAS COVERED WITH OIL, AND WHAT LOOKED LIKE A PISTON ROD PROTRUDING THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. (.19) ON MAY 23, 2002, AT 1835 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A MOONEY M20, N4560H, OWNED BY AND REGISTERED TO EMARC INCORPORATED, AND OPERATED BY A PRIVATE PILOT, COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES AND LANDED ON A ROAD IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA. THE PERSONAL FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 14 CFR PART 91 WITH NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, AND THE PRIVATE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE F           LIGHT ORIGINATED FROM GREENVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, AT AN UNDETERMINED TIME. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE OIL PRESSURE. SOON AFTER THE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE, THE PROPELLER STOPPED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING TO A NEARBY HIGHWAY. WHILE MANEUVERING FOR THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES AND CAME TO REST ON THE HIGHWAY. THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ATL02LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA103), May 23, 2002: Mooney M20J (N4560H), Charleston, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: Total loss of engine power due to oil system starvation. A factor was the transmission wire encountered during emergency descent.

## Other reports on N4560H (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19991016039639I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991016039639I), Oct 16, 1999: Mooney M20J (N4560H), Greenville, SC, Minor damage. On October 16, 1999, at 0945 EDT, a Mooney M-20-J landed gear up at Greenville Downtown Airport (kgmu), Greenville, SC. The pilot was receiving na insurance…
- [Incident 19950314010529I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950314010529I), Mar 14, 1995: Mooney M20J (N4560H), Greenville, SC, Minor damage. Narrative: the instructor pilot stated that the student pilot had made several landings prior to this incident. During this landing he applied excessive brake…
- [Incident 19870104001469I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870104001469I), Jan 4, 1987: Mooney M20J (N4560H), Macon, GA, Minor damage. Directional control was lost after hydroplaning on takeoff. Aircraft struck a barrel off side of the runway.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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