# NTSB FTW00LA127: Mooney M20F, N7038V, Tomball, TX, April 19, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 19, 2000, 16:33 local (21:33 UTC) - Place: Tomball, TX - Coordinates: 30.089542, -95.610122 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0895&lon=-95.6101&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 8, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48998 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48998/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA127 ## Probable cause Engine seizure due to the rupture of an oil cooler line. ## 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, climb - to cruise - lubricating system,oil line - ruptured (cause) - engine assembly - seized (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command ## Analysis The airplane was climbing through 4,000 feet msl when the engine rpm increased, and the engine oil pressure dropped to zero. The pilot reported the situation to departure control and they vectored the airplane toward the nearest airport. The engine began to shake violently for about 15 seconds and then seized. The pilot elected to land in a field short of the runway. The airplane touched down approximately wings level with the landing gear retracted, and 'slid through the field for roughly 125 feet' before coming to a stop. The pilot stated he did not lower the landing gear due to the need for altitude and airspeed to reach the field. Examination of the engine revealed that the #4 connecting rod was sticking out of the crankcase. Further examination revealed that an oil cooler line had ruptured. The last annual inspection was completed on March 19, 2000, eight flight hours prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On April 19, 2000, at 1633 central daylight time, a Mooney M20F single-engine airplane, N7038V, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Tomball, Texas. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot sustained a minor injury and his passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from Conroe, Texas, at 1618, with a destination of San Marcos, Texas. According to the pilot, the airplane was climbing through 4,000 feet msl when the engine rpm increased, and the engine oil pressure dropped to zero. He reported the situation to Houston Departure Control and asked for a vector to the nearest airport. The controller gave the pilot a heading to fly to the David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport. After the pilot rolled out onto the heading, "the engine began to shake violently for about 15 seconds and then the engine seized." As the aircraft was descending, at about 600 feet agl, the pilot determined he would not make the airfield and elected to land in a field short of runway 17R. The airplane passed over a small lake and a large tree, touched down in the field approximately wings level with the landing gear retracted, and "slid through the field for roughly 125 feet" before coming to a stop. The pilot stated he did not lower the landing gear due to the need for altitude and airspeed to reach the field. Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that the tail was twisted to the left and displaced upward, and oil was found along the aircraft's left side. Examination of the engine revealed the #4 connecting rod sticking out of the crankcase. Further examination revealed that an oil cooler line had ruptured. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the last inspection performed on the aircraft was an annual inspection. It was completed on March 19, 2000, eight flight hours prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7038V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7038V-2000-09-01), registration cancelled 2000-09-01, S/N 22-1385 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20F - Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-1385 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joeseph V. Tortorice III - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 2000, 8 hours before - Departed: CXO, CONROE, TX - Destination: HYI, SAN MARCOS, TX - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: DWH, David Wayne Hooks, runway 17R, 7,009 × 100 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 415 total, 248 in this make and model, 415 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 20000419011189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000419011189A), Apr 19, 2000: Mooney M20F, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot/builder of this high performance experimental amateur built a/c said the engine failed during an idle descent for landing. The conventional… 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.