# NTSB CHI81FEE05: Mooney M20E, N79840, Chicago, IL, November 2, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: November 2, 1980
- Place: Chicago, IL · CHICAGO, IL
- Location: 41.8500° N, 87.6501° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chicago, IL, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8500&lon=-87.6501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 128045
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI81FEE05
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FEE05

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3544   80/11/2   CHICAGO,IL          MOONEY M20E         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 35, 635
        TIME - 1042                    N79840              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 92 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MIDWAY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CHICAGO,IL                  PADUCAH,KY
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           WHEELS-UP                                                LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WATER IN FUEL
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INTENTIONAL WHEELS-UP
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- TO AVOID FUEL THEFT,ACFT WAS NOT REFUELED AFTR EACH FLT DRG PREV 3 MONTHS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79840](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N79840), registered now, S/N 504, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Midway

## 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 19801102063689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801102063689A), Nov 2, 1980: Mooney M20E, Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Made wheels up landing on taxiway. Found water in fuel, condensation moisture a factor.

## Other investigations on N79840 (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 CHI70D0287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70D0287), Aug 31, 1969: Mooney M20E (N79840), Northbrook, IL, 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.

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