# NTSB CHI92LA010: Mooney M20K, N3947H, Knox, IN, October 15, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1991, 20:15 local (Oct 15, 1991, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Knox, IN
- Coordinates: 41.290809, -86.619674 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2908&lon=-86.6197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15335
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15335/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA010

## Probable cause

THE OVERLOAD FAILURE OF THE #2 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO REACH A SUITABLE LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - overload (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT 11,000 FEET THE PILOT NOTED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND '0' OIL PRESSURE.  THE AIRPLANE WAS VECTORED TO THE CLOSEST AIRPORT BUT WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE RUNWAY.  A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A CORN FIELD AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.  POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED A BROKEN ROD ON THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3947H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20K
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-0450
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-GBI 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Northern Harvest Furniture,Inc
- Registered owner: Northern Harvest Furniture,Inc
- Departed: STL, ST. LOUIS, MO
- Destination: 3CM, BAY CITY, MI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,700 total, 12 in this make and model, 2,582 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 250° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: SBN, 27 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 19911014046079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911014046079A), Oct 14, 1991: Mooney M20K, Knox, IN, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure and engine quit. Vectored to airport but landed short. Connecting rod on NR2 cylinder had failed.

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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