# NTSB ATL86FKG04: Mooney M20J, N4287H, Americus, GA, October 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1985, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Americus, GA
- Coordinates: 32.069263, -84.219558 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0693&lon=-84.2196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6990
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FKG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6990/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FKG04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED A TREE AND CAME TO REST INVERTED DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR. THE LOSS OF PWR OCCURRED APRX 5 MILES WEST OF THE DESTINATION ARPT. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRFRAME AND POWERPLANT FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE PWR LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4287H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4287H-2012-11-21), registration cancelled 2012-11-21, S/N 24-0695, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-069
- Airframe hours: 1920
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert E. Shumate
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 1985, 13 hours before
- Departed: CSG, COLUMBUS, GA
- Destination: ACJ, AMERICUS, GA
- Airport: ACJ, Struther Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 562 total, 328 in this make and model, 448 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19851006049079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851006049079A), Oct 6, 1985: Mooney M20J, Americus, GA, Destroyed. Engine quit on base leg. Aircraft hit trees on emergency landing. Fuel selector found midway between left and right

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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