# NTSB FTW93LA201: Mooney M20J, N3740H, Spring, TX, June 30, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1993, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Spring, TX
- Coordinates: 30.039758, -95.530456 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0398&lon=-95.5305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18783
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18783/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA201

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPERLY PLANNED APPROACH AND THE RESULTANT OVERSHOOT OF THE INTENDED LANDING AREA. FACTORS WERE THE PARTIAL POWER LOSS DUE TO INTERNAL CORROSION, AND THE INADVERTENT STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - powerplant - corroded (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ON CLIMBOUT FROM THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT REPORTED TO THE TOWER THAT HE HAD AN ENGINE PROBLEM AND HE WAS IMMEDIATELY CLEARED TO LAND. THE PILOT OVERSHOT THE RUNWAY AND AS HE APPROACHED THE DEPARTURE END, HE ESTABLISHED A VERY HIGH CLIMB ANGLE IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR POWERLINES AND TREES. CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED IN HEAVILY WOODED AREA IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. AN ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED CORROSION AND CORROSION PITTING THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR OF THE ENGINE.

## Factual narrative

On June 30, 1993, at 1845 central daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N3740H, was substantially damaged following a forced landing due to the partial loss of power during climbout near Spring, Texas. The private pilot/owner  of the airplane sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight.

According to the David Wayne Hooks Airport tower operator, the airplane departed Runway 17R at 1842 and turned westbound. The pilot contacted the tower during the climb and requested to return to the airport because he had engine problems. The tower immediately cleared him to land on Runway 35L. The airplane was observed high on final approach. At the midfield point he was still fast and 10 feet off the runway. Near the departure end of the runway, the airplane was observed establishing a very high climb angle to clear powerlines and trees. Control was lost and the airplane impacted in a heavily wooded area in a nose down attitude.

An engine disassembly revealed that corrosion and pitting were present throughtout the interior of the engine.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3740H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3740H-1998-08-03), registration cancelled 1998-08-03, S/N 240917 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0917
- Airframe hours: 900
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3BC 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Duchesneau, Darrell A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 1992, 200 hours before
- Departed: DWH
- Destination: DWH
- Airport: DWH, David Wayne Hooks, runway 35, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 180 total, 107 in this make and model, 116 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DWH, 2 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 19930630021329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930630021329A), Jun 30, 1993: Mooney M20J, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Engine problem reported on climbout. Overshot runway landing. Pulled up for wires. Stalled. Engine corroded pitted.

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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