# NTSB CHI08LA016: Mooney M20E, N1261X, Muskegon, MI, October 13, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 2007, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Muskegon, MI - Coordinates: 43.169445, -86.238052 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1694&lon=-86.2381&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67085 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67085/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08LA016 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing available to the pilot due to the presence of a residential sub-division and trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - fuel system,screen - blocked(partial) - Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - residence (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane impacted a tree and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff. The pilot reported that the takeoff was normal. However, during initial climb out, about 500 feet above ground level, the engine "suddenly lost all power." He noted that there were trees and a residential sub-division in front of the airplane at the time. He attempted to return to the airport, but did not have sufficient altitude. A post accident examination did not reveal any anomalies that were consistent with a complete loss of engine power. However, during the examination of the fuel system continuity through the fuel servo could not be conclusively established. Testing of the fuel servo revealed an accumulation of debris in the fuel screen. The bypass function of the servo appeared operational. Subsequent bench testing of the servo did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a total loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On October 13, 2007, at 1100 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20E airplane, N1261X, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with a tree and terrain after takeoff from runway 24 (6,501 feet by 150 feet, asphalt) at Muskegon County Airport (MKG), Muskegon, Michigan. The pilot reported a loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff and was in the process of executing a forced landing at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The local flight was departing at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that the start-up, taxi and run-up were uneventful. He reported that takeoff was normal. However, during initial climb out, about 500 feet above ground level (agl), the engine "suddenly lost all power." He noted that there were trees and a residential sub-division in front of the airplane at the time of the loss of engine power. The pilot elected to execute a left turn in an attempt to return to the airport. The airplane did not have sufficient altitude and subsequently impacted a tree and terrain. It came to rest nose down. A post accident examination was conducted. Engine continuity was confirmed via crankshaft rotation. Compression was observed on all cylinders. Engine control continuity was confirmed. The induction air system was intact. The ignition system appeared intact and provided a spark at all cylinders during crankshaft rotation. The fuel selector was intact and unobstructed. The fuel flow divider contained a small amount of liquid consistent in odor and appearance to aviation fuel. During the examination of the fuel system continuity through the fuel servo could not be conclusively established. The servo was removed and tested under supervision of the NTSB. Initial inspection of the fuel servo revealed that debris had accumulated in the fuel screen. The debris was removed. The fuel screen was otherwise intact and appeared undamaged. Additionally, the bypass spring was intact and appeared to be functional. The fuel screen was re-installed and the unit was tested. The fuel cutoff functioned properly. Fuel flow measurements were within test specification requirements with the exception of the idle test point. At idle, the servo supplied fuel at 5 lbs/hour. The specification required 6 to 7 lbs/hour at the idle setting. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1261X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1261X-2008-02-08), registration cancelled 2008-02-08, S/N 134, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20E - Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 134 - Airframe hours: 4072 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2005 - Departed: MKG, Muskegon, MI - Airport: MKG, Muskegon County, runway 24, 6,501 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 1,336 total, 759 in this make and model, 1,329 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: MKG, 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 20071013824539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071013824539A), Oct 13, 2007: Mooney M20E, Muskegon, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) During the climb immediately following the takeoff the engine lost power. The pilot stated that due to trees being directly in front of the aircraft he… ## Other investigations on N1261X (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 MKC75FCA16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75FCA16), Nov 3, 1974: Mooney M20E (N1261X), Vichy, MO, substantial damage 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.