# NTSB ATL82FLG08: Mooney M-20J, N201NH, Hilton Head, SC, January 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 6, 1982, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Hilton Head, SC
- Coordinates: 32.159076, -80.760711 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1591&lon=-80.7607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71033
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FLG08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71033/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FLG08

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF AT ABOUT 200 TO 300 FEET THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A GEAR UP LANDING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT WING FUEL TANK CONTAINED OVER A QUART OF WATER. WATER AND A RED SUBSTANCE SIMILAR IN APPEARANCE TO TANK SEALANT WERE ALSO FOUND IN THE MAIN FUEL LINE TO THE FUEL INJECTOR SERVO.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N201NH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N201NH-1996-08-21), registration cancelled 1996-08-21, S/N 240264 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 240264
- Airframe hours: 1403
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen Raville
- Registered owner: Stephen Raville
- Departed: HILTON HEAD, SC
- Destination: ATLANTA, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 395 total, 85 in this make and model, 195 as pilot in command, 98 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820106003239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820106003239A), Jan 6, 1982: Mooney M20J, Hilton Head Isl, SC, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Landed wheels up on end of runway. Water and fuel cell sealant in fuel.

## Other investigations on N201NH (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 MIA94LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA150), May 27, 1994: Mooney M20-J (N201NH), Apalachicola, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE CROSSWIND RESULTING IN NOT MAINTAINING ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY AND THE PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE LANDING. THE CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR.

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.

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