# NTSB CHI84LA109: Mooney M20E, N1987Y, Cleveland, OH, February 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 11, 1984, 13:23 local (19:23 UTC)
- Place: Cleveland, OH
- Coordinates: 41.429458, -81.820991 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4295&lon=-81.8210&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12548
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12548/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA109

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff
  - ignition system,spark plug - loss,total (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - runway
  - control interference - intentional, passenger (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT ON TAKEOFF HE HEARD A BANG & SAW A PUFF OF BLUE SMOKE. THE PLT PULLED THE PWR OFF BUT DID NOT LOWER THE NOSE SO THE PASSENGER, WHO HAD FLT EXPERIENCE, PUSHED THE NOSE FORWARD & IMPACTED THE RWY. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENG REVEALED THE SPARK PLUG ON #3 CYL WAS LOOSE & HAD DAMAGED THREADS. ALL OTHER ENG COMPONENTS WERE NORMAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1987Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1987Y), registered now, S/N 274, 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
- Serial number: 274
- Airframe hours: 2504
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bernard J. Smolka
- Registered owner: U.A., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1983, 5 hours before
- Departed: CLE, CLEVELAND, OH
- Airport: CLE, Cleveland Hopkins, runway 23R, 6,242 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: left; flight hours: 9,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLE

## 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 19840211003499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840211003499A), Feb 11, 1984: Mooney M20E, Cleveland, OH, Substantial damage. Engine had power interruption shortly after takeoff. The aircraft struck the runway causing substantial damage.

## Other investigations on N1987Y (2)

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 NYC99LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA093), Apr 17, 1999: Mooney M20E (N1987Y), Brooksville, KY, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: Contaminated fuel which resulted in the forced landing, and a heart attack from an adrenaline rush that interacted with preexisting coronary disease which resulted in the pilot's death.
- [NTSB UNK64X2462](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2462), Jun 24, 1964: Mooney MK20E (N1987Y), Hugo, OK, 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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