# NTSB DFW07LA017: Mooney M20E, N2591W, Nacogdoches, TX, October 30, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 30, 2006, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Nacogdoches, TX - Coordinates: 31.577777, -94.708335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5778&lon=-94.7083&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA, FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64788 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64788/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07LA017 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Analysis The 849-hour private pilot completed his preflight inspection, which consisted of checking the oil, fuel, and control surfaces. After starting the engine, he went through his normal checks; "oil pressure, volts, fuel pressure, and avionics." He then taxied the airplane to Runway 18, where he completed his engine run-up. The pilot reported that the engine gauges were "normal" and he departed. After reaching an altitude of approximately 300 feet, "the engine lost power," and the pilot elected to land in a grassy area between runways 18 and 15. Additionally, the pilot reported the time between engine start and takeoff was about 15 minutes. Fuel was found at the accident site, and the airplane sustained structural damage during the forced landing. An engine run was conducted on January 23, 2007 under the supervision of the NTSB IIC. The engine, which was separated from the airframe for transport to the salvage yard, was placed on an engine test stand. The propeller, which sustained impact damage during the forced landing, was replaced with a test propeller. The engine was then started and run for approximately 10 minutes at various power settings. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On October 30, 2006, approximately 1630 central standard time, a single-engine Mooney M20E airplane, N2591W, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from the A L Mangham Jr. Regional Airport (OCH), near Nacogdoches, Texas. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The 849-hour private pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) that he completed his preflight inspection, which consisted of checking the oil, fuel, and control surfaces. After starting the engine, he went through his normal checks; "oil pressure, volts, fuel pressure, and avionics." He then taxied the airplane to Runway 18, where he completed the engine run-up. The pilot reported that the engine gauges were "normal" as he elected to depart. After reaching an altitude of approximately 300 feet, "the engine lost power," and the pilot chose to land in a grassy area between runways 18 and 15. Additionally, the pilot reported the time between engine start and takeoff was about 15 minutes. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who examined the airplane at the accident site, reported that fuel was present in the fuel tanks and that the airplane sustained structural damage during the forced landing. An engine run was conducted on January 23, 2007 under the supervision of the NTSB Investigator-In-Charge. The engine, which was separated from the airframe for transport to the salvage yard, was placed on an engine test stand. The propeller, which sustained impact damage during the forced landing, was replaced with a test propeller. The engine was then started and run for approximately 10 minutes at various power settings. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. At 1553, the automated weather observation system at LFK, approximately 20 miles south of the accident site, reported winds from 160 degrees at 11 knots, 10 miles visibility, a clear sky, temperature 77 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 61 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.87 inches of Mercury. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2591W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2591W-2017-05-31), registration cancelled 2017-05-31, S/N 944, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20E - Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 944 - Airframe hours: 5864 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2006 - Departed: OCH, Nacogdoches, TX - Destination: Nacogdoches, TX - Airport: OCH, A L Mangham Jr. Regional, runway 18, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 849 total, 700 in this make and model, 760 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KLFK, 20 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 20061030030659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061030030659A), Oct 30, 2006: Mooney M20E, Nacogdoches, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 30, 2006 at 1630 CST, a Mooney M-20-F, N2591W, registered to the PIC departed runway 18 at Nacogdoches, Texas (och) for a pleasure flight in… 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.