# NTSB DFW08CA230: Mooney M20D, N6646U, Grand Saline, TX, September 12, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 12, 2008, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Grand Saline, TX - Coordinates: 32, -95 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0000&lon=-95.0000&mi=10 - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68941 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA230 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68941/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA230 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=5870210), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=5870210), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The certified private pilot conducted a preflight of his single-engine airplane prior to departing from a private airstrip. He stated that there was no water in the fuel when he sumped the wing tanks and the oil level was slightly below eight quarts. The pilot started the engine and taxied the airplane to the end of the runway, performed two separate engine run-ups and departed. Shortly after take off, at an altitude of 50 feet above the ground, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and he made a forced landing on the remaining section of the runway. After the airplane touched down the pilot swerved to avoid contact with a parked airplane and subsequently ran into a ditch. Examination of the engine/airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed there were no mechanical deficiencies that would have resulted in a loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative The certified private pilot conducted a preflight of his single-engine airplane prior to departing from a private airstrip. He stated that there was no water in the fuel when he sumped the wing tanks and the oil level was slightly below eight quarts. The pilot started the engine and taxied the airplane to the end of the runway, performed two separate engine run-ups and departed. Shortly after take off, at an altitude of 50 feet above the ground, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and he made a forced landing on the remaining section of the runway. After the airplane touched down the pilot swerved to avoid contact with a parked airplane and subsequently ran into a ditch. Examination of the engine/airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed there were no mechanical deficiencies that would have resulted in a loss of engine power. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and both wings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6646U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6646U-2013-07-02), registration cancelled 2013-07-02, S/N 141, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20D - Registry model: [Mooney M20D](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20d) (registry code 5870210) (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: 141 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Coggins Danny G - Registered owner: Coggins Danny G - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: None, Grand Saline, TX - Destination: Rockwall, TX - Airport: None, Brady Field, runway 04 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 302 total, 130 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20080912851179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080912851179A), Sep 12, 2008: Mooney M20D, Grand Saline, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On 12 September, 2008 at round 1500 (CST), [privacy data omitted] performed a run-up of Mooney N6646U at the end of the runway. One mag dropped about 75… 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.