# NTSB CHI89FA009: Mooney M20J, N58155, Ludington, MI, October 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1988, 10:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Ludington, MI
- Coordinates: 43.949161, -86.440551 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9492&lon=-86.4406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14235
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14235/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA009

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND FAILED TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE UTILIZING BASIC FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS WHILE EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF GYRO INSTRUMENTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - vacuum system - failure,total (cause)
  - flight/nav instruments,attitude gyro - failure,total (cause)
  - flight/nav instruments,directional gyro - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT CONTACTED MINNEAPOLIS CENTER TO ACTIVATE AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN AND SUBSEQUENTLY REPORTED A COMPLETE GYRO FAILURE. THE PILOT WAS BEING GIVEN A NO-GYRO TURN TO THE NEAREST AVAILABLE AIRPORT WHEN THE AIRPLANE DISAPPEARED OFF RADAR. THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED IN A LAKE ALMOST DIRECTLY BENEATH THE LAST KNOWN RADAR LOCATION. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED A SHEARED VACUUM PUMP SHAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58155](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58155-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 24-1581 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1581
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harmon S. Lowrie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LDM, LUDINGTON, MI
- Destination: PWK, WHEELING, IL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast

## 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 19881016048629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881016048629A), Oct 16, 1988: Mooney M20J, Ludington, MI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Vaccum pump shaft sheared on climbout in IMC. Spiral dived into a lake. Pilot radioed gyro malfunction.

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.