# NTSB ATL87IA032: Mooney M20F, N3782N, Columbus, GA, November 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: November 30, 1986, 11:08 local (16:08 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, GA
- Coordinates: 32.550212, -84.920295 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5502&lon=-84.9203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7327
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87IA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7327/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87IA032

## Analysis

PLT RPTED HE WAS DESCENDING IN IMC FOR INSTRUMENT APPROACH WHEN ENG QUIT, RESTARTED FOR 30 SEC AFTER SWITCHING FUEL TANKS, AND QUIT AGAIN. ACFT BROKE OUT OF CLOUDS ABOUT 700 FEET, PLT LANDED ON INTERSTATE. ENG EXAM SHOWED ALTERNATE AIR DOOR SEAL BLOCKING INJECTOR SERVO INTAKE. SERVICE INSTRUCTION FOR DOOR SPRING NOT COMPLIED WITH. LAST INSPECTION WAS ANNUAL 10 MONTHS BEFORE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - induction air control/system - blocked(partial) (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - vehicle
  - proper glidepath - not possible, pilot in command
  - weather condition - low ceiling

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3782N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 680117
- Airframe hours: 4300
- Engines: LYCOMING I0-360-AIA 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry B. Howard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PDK, CHAMBLEE, GA
- Destination: CSG, COLUMBUS, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CSG, Columbus Metropolitan, runway 5, 6,998 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CSG, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Incident 19861130075249I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861130075249I), Nov 30, 1986: Mooney M20F, Columbus, GA, Minor damage. Forced landing on highway after power loss. Found excessive water in fuel tanks. Fuel injector gasket had collapsed

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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