# NTSB DEN88LA143: Mooney M-20K, N231PG, Gunnison, CO, July 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1988, 10:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Gunnison, CO
- Location: 38.5343° N, 106.9317° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GUNNISON-CRESTED BUTTE RGNL (GUC), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5343&lon=-106.9317&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA143

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - mixture control - leak (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N231PG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N231PG), registered now, S/N 25-0242, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20K
- Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 250242
- Airframe hours: 1971
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-GB1 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Norman F. Casey
- Registered owner: Jet Center Tulsa Sp, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 1988, 21 hours before
- Departed: TUL, TULSA, OK
- Airport: GUC, Gunnison, runway 6, 7,198 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,048 total, 348 in this make and model, 2,048 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 345° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880701024929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880701024929A), Jul 1, 1988: Mooney M20K, Gunnison, CO, Substantial damage. Power supply and audio circuits shorted. Caused electrical fire. Engine quit. Crashed short of runway. Fuel pump leak.

## Other investigations on N231PG (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 IAD03LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03LA073), Aug 29, 2003: Mooney M20K (N231PG), Chesterfield, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to the fatigue fracture of the #2 cylinder head. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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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