# NTSB FTW84LA207: Mooney M-18C, N4083, Lockhart, TX, April 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1984, 15:47 local (21:47 UTC)
- Place: Lockhart, TX
- Coordinates: 29.870328, -97.669128 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8703&lon=-97.6691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21315
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21315/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA207

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, approach
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - wheels up landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - proper alignment - attempted, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT RELATED THAT THE ACFT WAS NOT PERFORMING WELL FROM THE INITIAL TAKEOFF ROLL. SINCE HE HAD ONLY PREVIOUSLY FLOWN THE ACFT IN WINTER MONTHS & THE TEMP WAS QUITE WARM, HE THOUGHT THE LACK OF PERFORMANCE WAS DUE TO THE TEMP. HE STAYED IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN & MADE A TOUCH-&-GO LANDING. HE DID NOT USE THE CARB HEAT SINCE HE THOUGHT THE AIR WAS NOT CONDUCIVE TO CARB ICE. AFTER THE TOUCH-&-GO, THE ENG WAS EVEN MORE SLUGGISH. ON DOWNWIND, HE NOTICED AN INDICATION OF ZERO OIL PRESSURE & ELECTED TO TURN DIRECTLY TO THE RWY FOR AN IMMEDIATE LANDING. HE DECIDED NOT TO EXTEND THE GEAR SO AS TO EXTEND HIS GLIDE & MINIMIZE DAMAGE.SUBSEQUENTLY, HE CONTACTED THE GROUND, LEFT WING 1ST, WHILE TRYING TO ALIGN THE ACFT WITH THE RWY. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED NO INDICATION OF INTERNAL FAILURE. APRX 2 QTS OF OIL WERE FOUND IN THE ENG & AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT HAD DRAINED OUT AT THE CRASH SITE. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 80 & 50 DEG. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS CARB ICING WAS POSSIBLE AT OR BELOW RATED POWER. AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WAS USED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4083](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4083-1990-03-09), registration cancelled 1990-03-09, S/N 268 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-18C
- Registry model: [Mooney M-18C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m-18c) (registry code 5870102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-18C
- Airframe hours: 1200
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert M Murray
- Registered owner: Robert M. Murray
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1983
- Departed: 50R, LOCKHART, TX
- Airport: 50R, Lockhart Municipal, runway 35, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 211 total, 51 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 50 °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 19840421013959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840421013959A), Apr 21, 1984: Mnmite M18C, Lockhart, TX, Substantial damage. Overshot runway alignment from base leg. Drag a wing and cartwheeled during a steep bank to align with the runway.

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.

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