# NTSB DEN00LA143: Mooney M20J, N201DK, Espanola, NM, July 13, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 2000, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Espanola, NM - Coordinates: 36.000675, -106.05944 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0007&lon=-106.0594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49879 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN00LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49879/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA143 ## Probable cause The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. A factor was a complete loss of power due to mechanical failure. ## 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, descent - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (contributing factor) - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (contributing factor) - lubricating system - other (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause) - terrain condition - none suitable (cause) ## Analysis During climb following takeoff the engine oil pressure went to 0 and the oil temperature increased. The pilot reduced power, and looked for an emergency landing site in the rough mountainous terrain he was over flying. When the engine began to vibrate, the pilot secured the engine and made an emergency landing in a field with an uneven surface. During landing roll, the nose landing gear collapsed causing damage to the engine firewall. Examination of the engine revealed the number 3 connecting rod bearing had failed due to oil starvation followed by failure of the number 3 connecting rod. The number I connecting rod bearing had also failed due to reduced lubrication. The engine contained 7 quarts of aviation grade lubricating oil and the oil pump and internal oil distribution system were open and functioned in a normal fashion. The correct parts were verified. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 2000, at 1515 mountain daylight time, the pilot of a Mooney M20J, N201DK, made a forced landing near Espanola, New Mexico, when the engine lost all power. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this cross-country flight operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Los Alamos, New Mexico, at 1500 with a filed destination of Jefferson County Airport, Broomfield, Colorado. According to the pilot, during climb following takeoff, he noticed the oil pressure was 0 PSI and the oil temperature was climbing. He said he initially reduced power to preserve engine life and began looking for a place to perform an emergency landing. His account states that the terrain in the area was rough, mountainous, and had heavy foliage. During this time, the pilot said the engine began to vibrate violently and he shut it down via the mixture control. He then spotted a field in which to land, lowered the landing gear and flaps, and did an emergency off airport landing. During landing roll, the nose landing gear collapsed due to stresses imposed by the uneven surface of the field. Substantial damage occurred to the engine firewall and surrounding airframe. On August 13, 2000, an engine examination was performed at the facilities of Beegles Aircraft Services, Greeley, Colorado. The examination revealed that the number 3 cylinder rod bearing had failed due to lack of lubrication. This was followed by failure of the number 3 connecting rod, which penetrated the case. It was also found that the number 1 connecting rod bearing had failed due to heat stress brought on by reduced lubrication. The engine contained 7 quarts of oil at the time the examination was conducted and the internal oil distribution system showed no evidence of blockage. According to part numbers recovered from the bearing, the correct parts were installed and the correct type oil was used. The oil pump was tested and operated normally. All filters and screens in the lubrication system contained metallic debris; however, none were blocked. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N201DK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N201DK-2007-02-21), registration cancelled 2007-02-21, S/N 24-0121, built 1977 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-0121 - Airframe hours: 4872 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wings Of Denver - Registered owner: Vec Corporation Of Delaware - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 9, 2000, 40 hours before - Departed: LAM, LOS ALAMOS, NM - Destination: BJC, BROOMFIELD, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 310 total, 35 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 20000713028939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000713028939A), Jul 13, 2000: Mooney M20J, Espinola, NM, Substantial damage. (.4)During climb following takeoff the engine oil pressure went to 0 and the oil temperature increased. The pilot reduced power, and looked for an emergency… 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.