# NTSB CHI85FA104: Mooney M20C, N2961L, Portsmouth, OH, February 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1985, 13:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Portsmouth, OH
- Coordinates: 38.749038, -82.950248 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7490&lon=-82.9502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12818
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12818/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA104

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained (cause)
  - stall/mush - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS MANEUVERING AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL WHEN WITNESSES REPORTED WHAT THEY BELIEVED TO BE AN ENG MALFUNCTION. THE ACFT THEN ENTERED A SPIN AND IMPACTED IN AN OPEN FLD OUT OF CONTROL. A CONCLUSIVE CAUSE OF AN ENG MALFUNCTION COULD NOT BE DETERMINED DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2961L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 670095
- Airframe hours: 4247
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: E.Paul Dickerson
- Registered owner: E. Paul Dickenson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 14, 1984, 150 hours before
- Departed: PORTSMOUTH, OH
- Destination: CHEASAPEAKE, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HTS, 33 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 19850210002719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850210002719A), Feb 10, 1985: Mooney M20C, Portsmouth, OH, Destroyed. Impacted ground nose down after engine failure at low altitude. Crankshaft seized, oil slinger and dowel pins broke

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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