# NTSB ERA23LA344: Mooney M20K, N1152K, Fostoria, OH, August 20, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 20, 2023, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Fostoria, OH · In a soybean field - Coordinates: 41.157, -83.4169 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1570&lon=-83.4169&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 192910 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA344 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192910/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA344 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for unknown reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis During climb out following a practice landing approach, the pilot heard a “mechanical noise” and the engine began to intermittently cut out, then stopped producing power entirely. The pilot was unable to return to the runway and made a forced landing to a soybean field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. Data downloaded from the onboard engine data monitor indicated a brief increase in manifold and fuel pressure before the loss of engine power. A postaccident examination of the fuel system, fuel-injected engine, and ignition system revealed no evidence of any mechanical issues or deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation of the engine at the time of the accident. As such, the investigation was not able to determine why the engine lost power. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 2023, at 1615 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20K airplane, N1152K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fostoria, Ohio. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot, who owned the airplane, reported that he had completed a practice instrument approach to Fostoria Metro Airport (FZI), Fostoria, Ohio, but did not land. As the airplane was climbing out after the practice approach, he raised the landing gear and heard a “mechanical noise”, and the engine began to lose and gain power similar to the ignition turning on and off. The engine then stopped producing power when the airplane was about 500-900 ft above the ground (agl). The pilot was unable to return to the runway and made a forced landing to a soybean field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. Data downloaded from the onboard engine data monitor indicated a brief increase in manifold and fuel pressure before the engine lost power. A postaccident examination of the fuel system revealed the wing fuel tanks were intact, and fuel was visible in each wing fuel tank. When the master switch was turned on, the fuel gauges indicated about 27 gallons in the right tank and about 20 gallons in the left tank. A fuel sample from the left-wing tank was absent of water and debris. The fuel selector moved freely to each detent, and the electric boost fuel pump worked when tested. The top spark plugs were removed from the engine. The plugs were clean and properly gapped with no sign of damage. The engine’s crankshaft was manually rotated, and compression was established for each cylinder and spark was observed on each ignition lead. The ignition switch was checked for any faults and none were found. The engine-driven fuel pump was removed, and the driveshaft was intact. The throttle, mixture, and propeller controls were in the full aft position, and the induction air filter was clean. No mechanical issues or deficiencies were observed with the engine or fuel system that would have precluded normal operation of the engine at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1152K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1152K), registered now, S/N 25-0626, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20K (NO SERIES EXISTS) - 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: 25-0626 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 4525 - Engines: Continental TSIO-360-LB 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 2023 - Departed: TDZ, Toledo, OH - Destination: TDZ, Toledo, OH - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 23, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,271 total, 19 in this make and model, 1,233 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KFDY, 16 nm away - METAR: METAR KFDY 201953Z AUTO 23008KT 10SM SCT038 BKN048 29/22 A3007 ## 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 20230820012469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230820012469A), Aug 20, 2023: Mooney Aircraft Corp. M20K, Fostoria, OH, Substantial damage. On August 20, 2023, the pilot/[privacy data omitted] of the aircraft departed his home base airport approximately an hour before the accident. The… 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.