# NTSB BFO88LA045: Mooney M-20J, N567MM, Yorktown, VA, May 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1988, 12:57 local (16:57 UTC)
- Place: Yorktown, VA
- Coordinates: 37.188999, -76.46054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1890&lon=-76.4605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11413/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA045

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - lubricating system,oil filter/screen - overtorque (cause)
  - maintenance - improper (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil gasket - fractured (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS RETURNING TO THE ARPT AFTER A 20 MINUTE LOCAL FLIGHT. ABOUT 5 MILES FROM THE ARPT HE NOTICED THE OIL PRES/TEMP GAGES INDICATED ZERO EVEN AFTER HE CHECKED THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS-SHORTLY AFTERWARD THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND VIBRATE SEVERELY. THE PLT SHUT THE ENG DOWN AND LANDED IN A FIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THERE WAS OIL LEAKAGE THROUGH A SPLIT IN THE OIL GASKET LOCATED BETWEEN THE OIL FILTER CONVERTER PLATE AND ITS MOUNTING FLANGE. THERE WAS FAILURE OF THE CYL NO. 4 CONNECTING ROD BEARING BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF LUBRICATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N567MM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N567MM-1991-04-09), registration cancelled 1991-04-09, S/N 241068 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1068
- Airframe hours: 850
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas A. Gurkin
- Registered owner: Thomas A Gurkin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 1987
- Departed: PHF, NEWPORT NEWS, VA
- Airport: PHF, Patrick Henry Intl, runway 20, 6,526 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,570 total, 638 in this make and model, 1,219 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHF, 4 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 19880511035879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880511035879A), May 11, 1988: Mooney M20J, Newport News, VA, Destroyed. Lost oil pressure local flight. Engine vibration. Power loss. Land in field. Filter gasket leak. Rod failed. No lube

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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