# NTSB ATL89LA064: Mooney M20F, N6969V, Perdido, AL, December 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 30, 1988, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Perdido, AL
- Coordinates: 30.999469, -87.619766 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9995&lon=-87.6198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7973
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7973/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA064

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - maintenance,major repair - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - propeller system/accessories,prop blade retention - fatigue (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories - separation
  - fluid,oil - leak
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - contamination (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - visual lookout - reduced
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE DESCENDING TO 6000 FEET THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL SUPPLY. THE WINDSCREEN WAS COVERED WITH OIL AND THE PILOT HAD TO USE THE SIDE WINDOW TO GAIN FORWARD VISIBILITY. AFTER COMPLETING THE EMERGENCY LANDING CHECK THE ENGINE SEIZED. AN EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS SELECTED. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE ABOUT 10 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED ABOUT 200 FEET BEFORE COMING TO A STOP IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THE POST CRASH EXAMINATION INDICATED THAT THE PROPELLER ASSEMBLY HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE PROPELLER SHAFT. THE FRACTURE ANALYSIS OF THE BOLTS DISCLOSED THAT FOUR BOLTS FAILED IN FATIGUE. THE PROPELLER WAS OVERHAULED ABOUT 12 HOURS BEFORE THE MISHAP. THE OVERHAUL FACILITY REUSED THE OLD BOLTS AFTER MAGNA-FLUX AND PLATING. THE INSTALLATION TORQUE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6969V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6969V-1991-09-03), registration cancelled 1991-09-03, S/N 221336 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-1336
- Airframe hours: 1271
- Engines: LYCOMING I0-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas W. Mitchell
- Registered owner: Thomas W Mitchell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 23, 1989, 119 hours before
- Departed: ISM, KISSIMMEE, FL
- Destination: PIB, HATTIESBURG, MS
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 382 total, 27 in this make and model, 277 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Observed at: PNS, 30 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).

- [Accident 19881230057119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881230057119A), Dec 30, 1988: Mooney M20F, Perdido, AL, Substantial damage. Prop bolts failed and prop assembly departed aircraft. Oil on windshield and smoke in cabin. Hit a tree and crashed

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.