# NTSB ATL92LA071: Mooney M20D, N1975Y, Cumberland Is., GA, March 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 28, 1992, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Cumberland Is., GA
- Coordinates: 30.790128, -81.660499 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7901&lon=-81.6605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8580
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8580/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA071

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF THE SPARK PLUG AT A CRITICAL POINT IN FLIGHT WHICH RESULTED FROM THE INADEQUATE OVERHAUL OF THE ENGINE BY AN UNKNOWN PERSON; AND THE INADVERTENT STALL OF THE AIRPLANE WHEN THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. A FACTOR WAS THE HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES) WHICH BOUNDED THE RUNWAY DEPARTURE THRESHOLD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,spark plug - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - inadequate, unknown (cause)
  - single engine aircraft - other
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 60-70 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKE OFF, THE ENGINE RPM DECREASED. HARDWOOD TREES BOUNDED THE RUNWAY DEPARTURE THRESHOLD & THE PILOT ELECTED TO TURN BACK TO THE AIRSTRIP. THE AIRPLANE STALLED, DRAGGED THE RIGHT WING TIP, & COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED THAT A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT & THAT THE CYLINDER SPARK PLUG HOLE WAS FITTED WITH A HELICOIL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1975Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1975Y-1993-08-16), registration cancelled 1993-08-16, S/N 240 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20D
- Registry model: [Mooney M20D](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20d) (registry code 5870210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 240
- Airframe hours: 3770
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Davis, J.R. & Hill, M.L.
- Registered owner: Davis, J.R. & Hill, M.L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000, 2 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Cumberland Is., runway 22, 2,500 × 25 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 895 total, 386 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SSI, 15 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 19920328007719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920328007719A), Mar 28, 1992: Mooney M20D, Cumberland Isla, GA, Substantial damage. Lost power on initial climbout. Stalled turning back to miss trees. Spark plug with helicoil blew out of hole.

## Other investigations on N1975Y (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA65F0080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA65F0080), Mar 30, 1965: Mooney M20D (N1975Y), Toccoa, GA, substantial damage

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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