# NTSB CHI86FA077: Mooney M20C, N9307V, Loogootee, IN, January 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1986, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Loogootee, IN
- Coordinates: 38.66941, -86.909873 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6694&lon=-86.9099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13240
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13240/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA077

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,cylinder - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Fire, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - panic, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PLT EXPERIENCED LOSS OF PWR DURING CRUISE FLT AT 6,000 FEET. ATC VECTORED ACFT TOWARD DAVIESS COUNTY ARPT, APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AWAY. PLT REPORTED ACFT ON FIRE. WITNESSES SAW N9307V IN A LEFT BANK TURN THEN 'NOSE DIVE INTO GROUND.' POST CRASH EXAM OF ENGINE REVEALED NO. 3 CYLINDER DEPARATED FROM CRANKCASE. FURTHER EXAM REVEALED THE THROUGHBOLTS/NUTS WERE UNDER TORQUED. THE NO. 2 AND NO. 4 CYLINDERS WERE TOP OVERHAULED IN JULY 1981. METALLURGICAL EXAM OF BOLTS/NUTS REVEALED FATIGUE FAILURES AND 'WORKING' OF NO. 3 CYLINDER FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9307V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9307V-2013-10-28), registration cancelled 2013-10-28, S/N 690089, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- 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: 690089
- Airframe hours: 3890
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mckinley Thompson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 1985, 94 hours before
- Departed: BWG, BOWLING GREEN, KY
- Destination: GYY, GARY, IN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 815 total, 285 in this make and model, 641 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 7 °F, dew point 7 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HUF, 49 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 19860127001399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860127001399A), Jan 27, 1986: Mooney M20C, Loogootee, IN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft caught fire inflight and impacted an open field. Improperly torqued bolts caused cylinder to separate

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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