# NTSB CEN11LA311: Mooney M20K, N305M, New Orleans, LA, April 7, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 6, 2011, 20:45 local (Apr 7, 2011, 01:45 UTC) - Place: New Orleans, LA - Coordinates: 30.042222, -90.028335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0422&lon=-90.0283&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 1, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA -- Baton Rouge Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 78993 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA311 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78993/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78993 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA311 ## Probable cause A loss of electrical and engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Electrical power system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400/cases.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Ditching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 186 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md) ## Analysis Prior to departure, the pilot was unable to start the engine using the airplane electrical system. The engine was subsequently started with the assistance of a ground power unit; however, the pilot could not get the cockpit lights to work. The battery was charged and the engine was again started with the assistance of a ground power unit. The electrical system appeared to be operating normally and the pilot departed. During initial climb after takeoff, the pilot noticed an overvoltage indication. He informed an air traffic controller and during the return to the departure airport, the avionics began to flicker and the electrical system failed completely. During the approach, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power as the pilot was attempting to manually lower the landing gear. He was unable to reach the airport and subsequently landed in an adjacent lake. The airplane was recovered from the lake about 3 weeks after the accident. A postrecovery examination of the electrical system did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a loss of electrical power. Additionally, no reason for a complete loss of engine power was determined. Operation of the engine ignition system is completely independent of the airplane electrical system. ## Factual narrative On April 6, 2011, about 2045 central daylight time, a Mooney M20K airplane, N305M, ditched into Lake Pontchartrain following a complete loss of engine power after takeoff from Lakefront Airport (NEW) near New Orleans, Louisiana. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The aircraft was registered to ALC, LLC, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operating on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The intended destination was Atlanta Regional Airport (FFC), Atlanta, Georgia. A line service employee at the local fixed base operator stated that the pilot attempted to depart about 1400. However, the pilot was not able to get the engine started due to a dead battery. At the pilot's request, he connected a ground power unit to the airplane and the engine started. However, the pilot returned about 5 minutes later noting that he could not get any lights on in the cockpit. He relocated the airplane to the hangar, and a mechanic removed and charged the battery. After charging was complete, the airplane was removed from the hangar and the engine started with the aid of the ground power unit. After an engine run of approximately 10 minutes, the pilot indicated that everything was working normally and subsequently departed. The pilot reported that the airplane engine was started using external power. He completed the applicable preflight checklists and departed without difficulty. During initial climb after takeoff, he noticed an over voltage indication. He informed air traffic control (ATC) and elected to return to the departure airport for landing. The avionics began to flicker and eventually the electrical system failed completely. After identifying the airport, he began to manually extend the landing gear. Upon approaching the airport, the landing gear was not fully extended and the pilot turned the airplane to parallel the runway and level off. The engine subsequently lost power and he ditched the airplane in Lake Pontchartrain. The pilot and passenger successfully exited the airplane and swam to shore for assistance. The passenger stated that several minutes after takeoff, an indicator light illuminated. Immediately after receiving a heading to the airport from ATC, the panel lights flickered and went dark, and the intercom system failed. The pilot attempted to lower the landing gear by using the manual gear extension lever located between the pilot and passenger seats. As they approached the runway, the pilot directed the airplane to the right out over Lake Pontchartrain. The airplane continued to descend and they landed on the lake. They were able to exit the airplane and donned their life vests as the airplane submerged. The airplane was recovered from the lake on April 21, 2011. Apostrecovery examination did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. The alternator circuit breakers (ALT 1 Field and ALT 1) were open at the time of the inspection; however, no discrepancies related to the alternator or circuit breaker installation were observed. Further inspection of the electrical system revealed slight damage to a single wire common to a firewall cannon plug. The damage did not compromise the wire conductor. The wire bundle exiting the cannon plug was routed to a 90-degree bend. These discrepancies were not consistent with a complete loss of electrical power. No other anomalies related to the electrical system were observed. During the postrecovery examination, the engine exhibited internal continuity via crankshaft rotation. Compression was obtained at all cylinders. Engine rotation produced fluid at the fuel control unit inlet line consistent with operation of the engine driven fuel pump. The air intake duct assembly and air filter appeared to be intact. The points on both magnetos opened and closed when rotated by hand. The engine throttle was in the idle position, with the propeller and mixture controls in the forward positions. No anomalies consistent with a loss of engine power were observed. Operation of the engine ignition system is completely independent of the airplane electrical system. The most recent annual inspection was completed on August 6, 2010, at 891.9 hours recording tachometer time. An engine oil change was completed by the pilot on January 2, 2011, at 957.3 hours. A maintenance entry dated the same day as the accident noted recharging of the batteries and an operational check. The recording tachometer time was 970.6 hours. The airplane was fueled with 42.1 gallons of 100 low lead aviation gasoline prior to departure. Sunset occurred at 1922 on the day of the accident, with civil twilight ending at 1946. The moon set at 2225. The moon was in a waxing crescent phase with 9-percent of the disk illuminated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N305M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N305M-2011-09-21), registration cancelled 2011-09-21, S/N 25-1203, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY AIRCRAFT CORP. 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: 25-1203 - Airframe hours: 2344 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-360 SER 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John Baker - Registered owner: Alc LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 2010, 78 hours before - Departed: NEW, New Orleans, LA - Destination: FFC, Peachtree City, GA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: NEW, Lakefront Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 23, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,099 total, 742 in this make and model, 946 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 140° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: NEW, 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 20110406007559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110406007559A), Apr 6, 2011: Mooney Aircraft Corp. M20K, New Orleans, LA, Destroyed. On April 6, 2011, airman found aircraft battery dead on his aircraft, a Mooney M20K. A local maintenance technician removed battery and placed on charge for… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78993. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354974&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354975&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 3, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354977&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Line Service Statement (item 4, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354979&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Line%20Service%20Statement-Master.PDF - Fire Department Statement (item 5, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355038&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fire%20Department%20Statement-Master.PDF - Airplane Maintenance Records -- Excerpts (item 6, .PDF, 504 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355103&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Maintenance%20Records%20--%20Excerpts-Redacted.PDF - Maintenance Invoice ~ N305M (item 7, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354978&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Invoice%20~%20N305M-Redacted.PDF - Fuel Truck Log Sheet (item 8, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355036&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Truck%20Log%20Sheet-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 9, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355182&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF 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.