# NTSB ATL96LA005: Mooney M20K, N3983H, Dalton, GA, October 13, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 1995, 19:32 local (23:32 UTC) - Place: Dalton, GA - Coordinates: 34.76049, -84.970214 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7605&lon=-84.9702&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 7, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3666 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3666/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA005 ## Probable cause Oil starvation for an unknown reason, which resulted in progressive connecting rod failure and subsequent loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident were: the unfavoable weather and light conditions (low ceiling and fog at dusk), which hampered the pilot in seeing the runway during the forced landing. ## 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, cruise - normal - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate (cause) - fluid,oil - starvation (cause) - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - light condition - dusk (contributing factor) - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a climb through about 7,000 feet msl, the engine manifold pressure dropped to about 22 inches, and the engine oil pressure dropped to zero. He advised ATC that he would need to execute an emergency landing. During an emergency instrument landing procedure at dusk, he was unable to land on the intended runway, and the airplane impacted the terrain. Examination of the aircraft revealed old oil stains on the underside of the aircraft from the engine cowling trailing to the tail. Examination of the engine revealed that the number one and two connecting rods had failed as a result of thermal stretching and breaking of the rod bolts. No (new) oil leakage path was observed during the examination to indicate that the engine was leaking oil at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On October 13, 1995, at 1932 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20K, N3983H was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during a forced landing attempt near Dalton, Georgia. The commercial pilot was not injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Instrument meteorological conditions existed at the time, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was in effect at the time of the accident. The flight departed Marietta, Georgia at approximately 1900, and was destined for Rockford, Illinois. The pilot reported that during the climb, at about 7,000 feet above mean sea level, the engine manifold pressure dropped to about 22 inches, and the engine oil pressure dropped to zero, and he advised air traffic control that he would need to execute an emergency landing at the Dalton, Georgia Airport. During the emergency instrument landing procedure, he overshot the intended runway, and impacted the terrain. Examination of the aircraft revealed old oil stains on the underside of the aircraft, from the engine cowling trailing to the tail. Examination of the engine revealed that the number one and two connecting rods had failed as a result of thermal stretching and breaking of the rod bolts. No oil leakage path was observed during the examination to indicate that the engine was leaking oil at the time of the accident.(See Analytical Inspection Report Attached to This Report.) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3983H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3983H-2018-09-13), registration cancelled 2018-09-13, S/N 25--0387, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20K - Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-0387 - Airframe hours: 1784 - Engines: Continental TSIO-360-MB4 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Werner J. Lindgren - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 1995, 42 hours before - Departed: 8A4, MARIETTA, GA - Destination: 1C8, ROCKFORD, IL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: DNN, Dalton Municipal, runway 32, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,604 total, 428 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk - Wind: 140° at 3 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DNN, 1 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 19951013036079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951013036079A), Oct 13, 1995: Mooney M20K, Dalton, GA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Lost oil and manifold pressure on climb at FL70. Overshot emergency airport rod bolts broke on two connecting rods. ## Other investigations on N3983H (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 CHI95LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA058), Dec 28, 1994: Mooney M20K (N3983H), Minneapolis, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's misjudging of distance and airspeed during the approach to landing which resulted in an overrun. Factors associated with the accident were the separation of the exhaust pipe and the… 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.