# NTSB ERA09CA089: Mooney M20G, N6871N, Sebastian, FL, December 13, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 13, 2008, 01:30 local (06:30 UTC) - Place: Sebastian, FL - Coordinates: 27.813055, -80.495552 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8131&lon=-80.4956&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 25, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69560 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69560/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA089 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057300): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M-20G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057300/cases.md?model=5870216), [All aircraft, 49 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057300/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Mooney M-20G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=5870216), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M-20G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870216), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis While en route to his destination, at 4,500 feet above mean sea level and during night visual meteorological conditions, the pilot of a Mooney M20G experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. He then executed the forced landing procedure and glided the airplane towards a "dark spot" on the ground. The airplane struck trees and then the ground. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions. ## Factual narrative While en route to his destination, at 4,500 feet above mean sea level and during night visual meteorological conditions, the pilot of a Mooney M20G experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. He then executed the forced landing procedure and glided the airplane towards a "dark spot" on the ground. The airplane struck trees and then the ground. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions. A review of a carburetor-icing chart revealed that atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to "serious icing at cruise power." A representative from the engine manufacturer advised that there was in excess of a 90 percent probability of developing carburetor ice at the time of the accident, based on local conditions. The pilot reported that he did not normally use carburetor heat when flying, as the weather was usually warm in the area of the country he operated in. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6871N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6871N-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N 680124, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20G - Registry model: [Mooney M-20G](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m-20g) (registry code 5870216) (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: 680124 - Airframe hours: 4104 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 2008 - Departed: LNA, West Palm Beach, FL - Destination: TIX, Titusville, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review December 21, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 200 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 330° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: VRB, 10 nm away 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.