# NTSB CHI94LA101: Mooney M20C, N6811N, Richland Center, WI, March 10, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 10, 1994, 13:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Richland Center, WI - Coordinates: 43.329147, -90.379669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3291&lon=-90.3797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9479 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9479/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA101 ## Probable cause improper use of carburetor heat. Factors related to the accident were carburetor icing conditions, and the sign and fence poles. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - pole (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING THE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. HE WAS GIVEN INFORMATION REGARDING A NEAR-BY AIRPORT BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A ROAD. THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED SIGN POSTS, FENCE POSTS, AND A DITCH DURING THE LANDING. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. THE PILOT REPORTED TO ATC THAT HE WAS ENCOUNTERING ICE PELLETS AND PICKING UP RIME ICE DURING THE FLIGHT. THE TEMPERATURE/DEWPOINT WERE 35 DEGREES F. AND 21 DEGREES F. RESPECTIVELY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS INDICATE THESE CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR LIGHT TO MODERATE CARBURETOR ICE AT GLIDE AND CRUISE POWER. ## Factual narrative On March 10, 1994, at 1350 central standard time, a Mooney M20C, N6811N, registered to Michael Geyer and flown by a private- instrument rated pilot collided with sign posts, fence posts, and a ditch during a forced landing in Richland Center, Wisconsin, while on a CFR 14 Part 91 business flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on March 10, 1994, at 1237 cst. The pilot stated that while en route to St. Paul, Minnesota, just after passing the Lone Rock VOR, a "very sudden, immediate loss of engine power" was experienced. He stated that best glide speed was established, and emergency restart procedures were followed to no avail. Information regarding the nearest airport was requested from the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center. The pilot was informed that Richland Center Airport was the closest airport. The pilot stated he headed toward the airport, but realized they could not make it there so he selected a road on which to land. According to the pilot, each wing struck a sign post during the landing and the left wing contacted several metal fence posts. The airplane then veered to the left and came to rest in a ditch. Post accident inspection of the airplane and engine was conducted by an inspector from the Milwaukee Flight Standards District Office. The inspector reported no deficiencies were found which would have resulted in the loss of power as described. The temperature and dewpoint reported at Madison, Wisconsin, at 1251 cst were 35 degrees F., and 21 degrees F. respectively. According to icing probability charts, these conditions were favorable for light to moderate carburetor ice at glide or cruise power. The pilot reported to Milwaukee Departure Control during the flight that he was encountering ice pellets and was picking up light rime ice. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6811N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6811N), registered now, S/N 680109, built 1968 (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: 680109 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Michael Geyer - Registered owner: Michael Geyer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MKE, MILWAUKEE, WI - Destination: D97, ST. PAUL, MN - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 93C, Richland Center ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 697 total, 45 in this make and model, 587 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 8 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MSN, 40 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 19940310000819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940310000819A), Mar 10, 1994: Mooney M20C, Richland Center, WI, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Landed on road. Hit sign posts and ditch. Carburetor icing condition. No mechanical problem. ## Other investigations on N6811N (1) 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 CHI70FGA13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70FGA13), Jun 9, 1970: Mooney M20C (N6811N), Cincinnati, OH, 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. --- 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.