- Date
- September 20, 1992, 20:01 local (Sep 21, 1992, 00:01 UTC)
- Place
- Weston, WV
- Injuries
- 2 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N99693Mooney M20K
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Status
- Completed · report September 28, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19920920037719A
- Case key
- 11738
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Total loss of engine power due to the inadequate torque of the no. 1 cylinder attach bolts and studs, fatique failure of the bolts/studs, and separation of the no. 1 cylinder. Factors related to the accident were: darkness and hilly terrain, which were unsuitable for a forced landing.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
After being alerted to an oil streak along the side of the airplane, the pilot checked the oil and then departed on a night flight over hilly terrain. While in cruise flight, the pilot reported 'motor troubles' to approach control and received vectors to the closest airport. This airport had no runway lighting. The pilot was able to maintain partial power for about 14 minutes. During this time, the ATC controler was unsuccessful in attempts to turn on the runway lights at the closest airport, and was unaware the lights were out of service. The pilot then reported 'its dead' as he approached the airport. He was unable to land at the unlit airport, despite guidance from ATC and another airplane which was in the vicinity. The airplane impacted terrain and was destroyed. An exam of the engine revealed the no. 1 cylinder had separated from the engine crankcase in flight. A metallurgical exam revealed evidence of fretting damage on the attachment flange and fatigue failure of the attaching through bolts and hold down studs.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N99693
- Reported as
- Mooney M20K
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 25-0548
- Airframe hours
- 1,500
- Engine
- Continental TSIO-360-GB3, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- T And S Rentals
- Registered owner
- T And S Rentals
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · February 25, 1992
- Departed
- CRW · Charleston, WV
- Destination
- MGW · Morgantown, WV
- Airport
- 49I · Louis Bennett Field
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 64
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 1,200 total · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- CKB, 17 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.