# NTSB CEN11LA636: Mooney M20C, N9266M, Kokomo, IN, September 11, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 11, 2011, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Kokomo, IN - Coordinates: 40.528057, -86.058891 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5281&lon=-86.0589&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 7, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 81761 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA636 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81761/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81761 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA636 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power following takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=5870208), [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. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane experienced a loss of engine power after takeoff. The pilot was unable to regain engine power and performed a forced landing to a field. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. According to carburetor icing charts, serious carburetor icing conditions at cruise power were present at the time of the accident; however, the pilot applied carburetor heat after the loss of engine power, and power was not regained. ## Factual narrative On September 11, 2011, about 0930 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N9266M, experienced a loss of engine power during a climb after takeoff from Kokomo Municipal Airport (OKK), Kokomo, Indiana. The pilot subsequently made an off airport forced landing to a field. Both certificated airline transport pilots sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument rules flight plan had been filed for the flight that was destined for Grissom Air Reserve Base, Peru, Indiana, where the pilot was going to practice approaches. The pilot stated that the airplane experienced a loss of engine power/speed of about 200 rpm while about 400-500 feet above the departure end of runway 14. The airplane stopped accelerating and climbing. The pilot executed a shallow left turn to a corn field and then attempted to regain engine power. The pilot selected the right fuel tank, cycled and then left the carburetor heat on, confirmed that the fuel pump was on, cycled the throttle control two times from idle to fully forward, cycled the mixture control from rich to lean to rich, confirmed the propeller control was fully forward, confirmed that the magnetos were in the both position, and cycled the throttle three more times. Engine power was not regained, and the pilot landed on a corn field with the impact occurring as the stall warning horn annunciated. Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration, confirmed engine control continuity. There was no obstruction in either the engine induction or exhaust systems. Fuel samples taken from both wing tanks and the gascolator did not contain contaminant. The fuel selector functioned without any mechanical anomalies. The gascolator screen was not obstructed. The magneto P-lead was connected. The spark plugs did not exhibit any anomalies. The Grissom Air Reserve Base, Peru, Indiana, automated weather observing system recorded a temperature and dew point of 59 degree Fahrenheit. The carburetor icing chart in FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin, CE-09-35, indicates serious icing at cruise power at a temperature and dew point of 59 degree Fahrenheit. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9266M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9266M-2017-10-20), registration cancelled 2017-10-20, S/N 3457, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (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: 3457 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: OKK, Kokomo, IN - Destination: GUS, Peru, IN - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: OKK, Kokomo Municipal Airport, runway 14, 4,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; airline transport, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 24, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 12,094 total, 506 in this make and model, 4,280 as pilot in command, 205 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 28; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 23, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 0 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: OKK ## Other investigations on N9266M (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 CHI69F0149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69F0149), Jul 30, 1968: Mooney M20C (N9266M), Connersville, IN, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 21, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81761. 754 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 620 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374107&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374122&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - FAA SAIB CE-09-35 (item 3, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374108&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20SAIB%20CE-09-35-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.