# NTSB ATL92LA143: Mooney M20F, N6730N, Eufaula, AL, July 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1992, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Eufaula, AL
- Coordinates: 31.899822, -85.149162 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8998&lon=-85.1492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8633
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8633/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA143

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL INJECTOR SERVO AS A RESULT OF THE STICKING BUSHING BETWEEN THE DIAPHRAGMS.

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel system,injector - pressure excessive (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

FOLLOWING A TEST FLIGHT AFTER MAINTENANCE, ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT FELT HE WAS BELOW GLIDE PATH. AS HE ATTEMPTED TO ADD POWER TO ADJUST HIS DESCENT RATE, THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO ATTEMPT AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN NEAR THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY, WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT AND MINOR INJURY TO THE PILOT. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR SERVO WAS PRODUCING A RICH MIXTURE, AT THE LOW POWER SETTING, AS A RESULT OF THE BUSHING BETWEEN THE DIAPHRAGMS STICKING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6730N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6730N-1994-12-30), registration cancelled 1994-12-30, S/N 680181 (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: 680181
- Airframe hours: 3294
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brown, Carl A.
- Registered owner: Brown, Carl A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 1992, 1 hours before
- Departed: EUF
- Airport: EUF, Eufaula, runway 36, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 730 total, 140 in this make and model, 705 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CSG, 35 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 19920723055499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920723055499A), Jul 23, 1992: Mooney M20F, Eufaula, AL, Substantial damage. Engine failed respond on final. Landed short. Struck embankment. Magneto timing off. Fuel injector servo sticking.

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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