# NTSB BFO94LA145: Mooney M-20B, N778R, Marion, OH, August 23, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 23, 1994, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Marion, OH - Coordinates: 40.579971, -83.119056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5800&lon=-83.1191&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 16, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8965 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA145 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8965/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA145 ## Probable cause Inadequate maintenance which resulted in the throttle cable becoming disconnected from the carburetor. ## 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, cruise - throttle/power lever,cable - disconnected - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The airplane lost engine power after about an hour of flight that included the pilot practicing maneuvers and doing touch and go landings. The pilot did a forced landing into a cornfield where the airplane struck a ditch. The pilot reported that before the power loss occurred, he had first slowed and then tried to accelerate the airplane, but the engine did not respond to throttle application. Examination of the airplane revealed the throttle cable disconnected from the carburetor. ## Factual narrative On August 23, 1994, about 1545 hours eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20B, N778R, a personal flight, lost engine power and was forced landed in a field at Marion, Ohio. Visual meteorologicl conditions existed. The pilot and passenger were not injured The airplane was substantially damaged. The departure point was Marion, Ohio. The local flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. After takeoff, the pilot climbed to 3000 feet msl and practiced some manuevers. He returned to Marion and did touch and go landings. He departed Marion and shortly afterward the power loss occurred after he first slowed and then tried to accelerate the airplane. According to the pilot, "I then experienced throttle failure, moved free in and out with no response. I tried for Marion, could not make airport. (I) looked for a suitable landing, lined up with road, gear down and locked, I secured engine for landing. As I touched (down) the left wing caught a field of corn turning aircraft into a ditch. Examination of the airplane revealed the throttle cable had disconnected from the carburetor. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N778R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N778R-2013-06-10), registration cancelled 2013-06-10, S/N 1903, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20B - Registry model: [Mooney M20B](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20b) (registry code 5870206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1903 - Airframe hours: 2640 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Chris Robinson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1994, 11 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight instructor, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 950 total, 1 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 19940823022779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940823022779A), Aug 23, 1994: Mooney M20B, Marion, OH, Substantial damage. Lost power on local flight. Landed on a road. Wing caught in corn. Rotated into ditch. Throttle cable disconnected. 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.