# NTSB ATL87LA172: Mooney M20A, N8391E, Middlefield, OH, June 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1987, 11:50 local (15:50 UTC)
- Place: Middlefield, OH
- Coordinates: 41.449035, -81.070083 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4490&lon=-81.0701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7453
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7453/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA172

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system,strainer - leak (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE ACFT STRUCK A FENCE DURING A FORCED LDG, FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE PWR IN FLIGHT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD TOPPED OFF BOTH MAIN FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE AT ABOUT 4000 FT MSL, HE SMELLED FUEL FUMES IN THE COCKPIT. HE OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE FOR THE TANK IN USE WAS INDICATING 1/2 FULL. THE ENGINE COMPLETELY LOST POWER SHORTLY THEREAFTER. EFFORTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE BY TURNING ON THE BOOST PUMP AND SWITCHING TANKS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE ACFT BY THE FAA REVEALED EVIDENCE OF A FUEL GASCOLATOR LEAK. THE GASCOLATOR GASKETS APPEARED TO BE HOMEMADE. NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND TO EXIST IN THE REST OF THE FUEL SYSTEM OR THE ENGINE. THE ACFT HAD ACQUIRED 2 HRS FLT TIME SINCE THE LAST ANNUAL, WHICH WAS ACCOMPLISHED 3 WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE ANNUAL REPORTED THAT HE HAD DISASSEMBLED AND CLEANED THE GASCOLATOR PRIOR TO COMPLETING THE INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8391E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8391E-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 1569, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20A
- Registry model: [Mooney M20A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20a) (registry code 5870204) (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: 1569
- Airframe hours: 1500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John C. Harshbarger, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1987, 2 hours before
- Departed: BKL, CLEVELAND, OH
- Destination: W66, MIDLAND, VA
- Airport: 7G8, Geauga County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 970 total, 800 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19870619021079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870619021079A), Jun 19, 1987: Mooney M20A, Middlefield, OH, Substantial damage. Collided with a fence during a forced landing in a field. Gascolator leaking. Mechanic had used a homemade gasket.

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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