# NTSB FTW02LA096: Mooney M20A, N8390E, Norman, OK, March 16, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 16, 2002, 09:16 local (15:16 UTC) - Place: Norman, OK - Coordinates: 35.249866, -97.459587 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2499&lon=-97.4596&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Lycoming, FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54356 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54356/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54356 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA096 ## Probable cause Maintenance personnel's improper clamp installation on the mixture control cable, which resulted in a loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - mixture control,cable - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - aircraft parked/standing ## Analysis During takeoff initial climb, approximately 800-900 feet agl, the engine lost power. With no options to land straight ahead, the pilot elected to make a right 180-degree turn back to the runway. The airplane's right wing struck the ground followed by the fuselage. The airplane slid upright into two parked airplanes that were tied down on the ramp. Examination of the aircraft revealed an improper clamp installed on the mixture cable that would not allow the mixture cable to extend to the full rich position. ## Factual narrative On March 16, 2002, 0916 central standard time, a Mooney M20A single-engine airplane, N8390E, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff/initial climb from the University of Oklahoma Westheimer Airport near Norman, Oklahoma. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight was destined for Nashua, New Hampshire, with Newton, Kansas as the first fuel stop. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The 346-hour pilot reported to the FAA inspector, that during initial climb out from runway 3, while climbing through approximately 800-900 feet agl, the engine lost power without warning. With no options to land straight ahead, the pilot elected to make a right 180-degree turn to attempt to return to the airport. The pilot stated that the landing gear was fully extended and the flaps were up. The airplane's right wing struck the ground followed by the fuselage. The airplane slid upright into two parked airplanes that were tied down on the ramp. Examination of the airplane, by the FAA inspector, revealed that the airplanes right wing was separated from the fuselage. An examination of the aircraft at Air Salvage of Dallas near Lancaster, Texas, conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge and a Textron Lycoming representative revealed that an improper clamp was found installed on the mixture control cable that would not allow the mixture cable to fully extend to the full rich position. Examination of the engine revealed the #1 fuel injector nozzle was loose, and the #2 fuel injector line was loose at the nozzle. All fuel injectors were found to be clean. After multiple attempts, the NTSB was unable to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8390E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8390E-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 1568, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20A - Registry model: [Mooney M20A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20a) (registry code 5870204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1568 - Airframe hours: 3015.6 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jeffrey A. Evans - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2002, 6.28 hours before - Departed: OUN, Norman, OK - Destination: EWK, NEWTON, KS - Airport: OUN, University Of Oklahoma Westhei, runway 3, 4,747 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 346 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: OUN ## 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 20020316004859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020316004859A), Mar 16, 2002: Mooney M20A, Norman, OK, No damage. (.19) On March 16, 2002, 0916 central standard time, a Mooney M20A single-engine airplane, N8390E, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground during… ## Other investigations on N8390E (4) 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. - [NTSB SEA75DYE16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA75DYE16), Aug 18, 1974: Mooney M20A (N8390E), Shelton, WA, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI69D0029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69D0029), May 22, 1968: Mooney M20A (N8390E), Kenosha, WI, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI68D0443](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI68D0443), Nov 17, 1967: Mooney M20A (N8390E), Wheeling, IL, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X0684](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0684), Feb 24, 1964: Mooney M20A (N8390E), Covington, GA, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 7, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54356. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 727 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40186330&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Airport Diagram (item 2, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40186331&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Diagram-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 3, .PDF, 341 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396050&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 4, .PDF, 232 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396051&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF 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.