# NTSB ATL90LA088: Mooney M20F, N7061V, Murfreesboro, TN, March 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1990, 20:55 local (Mar 30, 1990, 02:55 UTC)
- Place: Murfreesboro, TN
- Coordinates: 35.850002, -86.390426 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8500&lon=-86.3904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8224
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8224/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA088

## Probable cause

FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE PROPELLER BLADE WHICH RESULTED IN A FORCED OFF-AIRPORT LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - failure,total
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night
- Gear not extended, landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

DURING A DESCENT FOR LANDING AT 4500 FEET PART OF THE PROPELLER BLADE SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. THE PILOT WAS VECTORED TOWARD AN AIRPORT BUT HAD TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING SHORT. THE GEAR WAS NOT EXTENDED & THE ACFT SLID ONTO AN INTERSTATE HWY. IT HIT A PASSING VAN. EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER BLADE FRACTURE WHICH REMAINED SHOWED THAT IT FAILED FROM FATIGUE WHICH INITIATED ON THE CAMBER SURFACE OF THE BLADE. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD BEEN OPERATING FROM AN AIRSTRIP WITH A STONE SURFACE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7061V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7061V-1990-06-25), registration cancelled 1990-06-25, S/N 221403 (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: 22-1403
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Cargile, Neil H.
- Registered owner: Watts, Thomas E., Jr.
- Departed: PBI, WEST PALM BEACH, FL
- Destination: BNA, NASHVILLE, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,000 total, 800 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 20 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 19900329006489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900329006489A), Mar 29, 1990: Mooney M20F, Murfreesboro, TN, Substantial damage. Lost part of propeller in flight, landed on freeway and was hit by a van.

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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