# Accident 20231221018669A: Mooney M20J, Elko, NV, December 21, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 21, 2023, 13:05 local time
- Place: Elko, NV
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.5800° N, 116.0300° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5800&lon=-116.0300&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2073K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Reported engine: LYCOMING I0360 SER A&C
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 478 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR24LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA060) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231221018669A

## Narrative

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

DURING NORMAL CRUISE FLIGHT FROM REDDING CA TO SUPRISE AZ  ENGINE MADE A CLANG AND FAILED CAUSING AN OFF-FIELD LANDING.

PILOT REPORTED SMELLING OIL SMELL IN CABIN AFTER ENGINE FAILURE.

## 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 WPR24LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA060), Dec 21, 2023: Mooney M20J (N2073K), Carlin, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: Improper spacing of the magneto’s breaker point contact assemblies, which led to a loss of engine ignition during cruise flight and resulted in a total loss of engine power.

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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