# NTSB ATL86FA222: Mooney M20C, N3986N, Hillsville, VA, August 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1986, 13:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Hillsville, VA
- Coordinates: 36.759548, -80.730278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7595&lon=-80.7303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6958
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6958/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA222

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - roll/run
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,calibration - not performed, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT, ALSO AN A&P AND IA, HAD FLOWN THE ACFT ON THE PREVIOUS DAY AND NOTED RPM AT 2500 ON INITIAL CLIMB. ON THE ACCIDENT FLT, THE ACFT WAS LOADED TO NEAR MAX GROSS WEIGHT AND TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED AT A DENSITY ALT OF 4810 FT MSL. THE ACFT USED ABOUT 3/4 OF THE 4200 FT RWY FOR TAKEOFF ROLL.THE PLT RATED PASSENGER STATED THAT THE STALL WARNING CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER LIFT OFF AND STAYED ON UNTIL IMPACT. THE PLT STATED THAT THERE WAS A NOTICABLE LOSS OF PWR ABOUT .4 MILES FROM THE RWY AND THE STALL WARNING DID NOT ACTIVATE UNTIL THEN. THE PLT HAD FLOWN 1 HOUR IN THIS MAKE/MODEL ACFT DURING THE LAST 90 DAYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3986N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3986N-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N 680013, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 680013
- Airframe hours: 1678
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A10 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Va-Carolina Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1986, 5 hours before
- Airport: HLX, Galex-Hillsville, runway 36, 4,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,138 total, 94 in this make and model, 3,040 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19860816040629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860816040629A), Aug 16, 1986: Mooney M20C, Hillsville, VA, Destroyed. Aircraft lost power during takeoff and landed in trees. Faulty magneto. Pilot suspected problems on takeoff roll.

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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