# NTSB FTW88LA002: Mooney M-20-J, N57257, Kerrville, TX, October 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1987, 19:25 local (Oct 9, 1987, 00:25 UTC)
- Place: Kerrville, TX
- Coordinates: 30.159124, -99.349761 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1591&lon=-99.3498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22581
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22581/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA002

## 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, descent - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - overtemperature (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - sign (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH A ROAD SIGN AND THE GRND DURING AN OFF ARPT EMERGENCY LNDG FOLLOWING A COMPLETE ENG FAILURE DURING DESCENT. PLT STATED THAT ABOUT 20 MINS OUT FROM HIS DEST, THE OIL PRESS DECREASED INTO THE YELLOW ARC, BUT OIL TEMP AND CYL HEAD TEMP REMAINED NORMAL. DURING THE DESCENT, OIL PRESS DECREASED INTO THE RED AND THE ENG STARTED VIBRATING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ENG SEIZED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE #4 PISTON CONNECTING ROD HAD SEPARATED DUE TO OIL STARVATION, RESULTING IN SEVERE INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENG. TWO QTS OF HEAVY, BLACK OIL WERE DRAINED FRM THE ENG. THE CAUSE OF THE OIL STARVATION WAS NOT DETERMINED DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THE PLTS STATED THAT THEY HAD DEPARTED 4.5 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACDT WITH SLIGHTLY OVER 5 QTS OF OIL IN THE ENG. ENG HAD BEEN OPERATED A TOTAL OF 320 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57257](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57257), registered now, S/N 24-1605 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20-J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 241605
- Airframe hours: 320
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lawrence W. Moulton
- Registered owner: Moulton, Lawrence W
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 1986, 20 hours before
- Departed: TUS, TUCSON, AZ
- Destination: ERV
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 234 total, 56 in this make and model, 123 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 45 nm away

## 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 19871008060089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871008060089A), Oct 8, 1987: Mooney M20J, Kerrville, TX, Substantial damage. Engine seized on approach. On landing, hit a highway sign. Connecting rod failed. Heavy sludgy oil in crankcase.

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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