# NTSB IAD03LA073: Mooney M20K, N231PG, Chesterfield, VA, August 29, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 29, 2003, 11:09 local (15:09 UTC) - Place: Chesterfield, VA - Coordinates: 37.410831, -77.530281 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4108&lon=-77.5303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58057 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD03LA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58057/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03LA073 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to the fatigue fracture of the #2 cylinder head. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## 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, cruise - engine assembly,cylinder - separation (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - terrain condition - congested/confined area (contributing factor) ## Analysis A 652-hour commercial pilot reported a loss of engine power during cruise flight. During a forced landing on a four-lane highway, the airplane collided with a vehicle. Examination of the engine revealed that the #2 cylinder head was fractured circumferentially between that fourth and fifth fins from the engine end of the head due to fatigue. As a result, the head was in two pieces: the engine side and the dome side. The engine side of the head remained attached to the barrel and the injector line was fractured at one of the brazed joint for one of the ferrules. The 215-horsepower engine had accumulated a total 326-hours since the last top overhaul and 887 hours since its last major overhaul. ## Factual narrative On September 29, 2003, about 1109 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20K single-engine airplane, N231PG, registered to and operated by Coral Bay Company, Inc., sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during cruise flight near Chesterfield, Virginia. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at Easton/Newnam (ESN), Easton, Maryland, about 0945, and destined for Blue Ridge Airport (MTV), Martinsville, Virginia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. In a written statement, the 692-hour pilot said that he was flying at an altitude of 6,000 feet, with engine operating parameters set at 2,500 rpm, and 28 inches of manifold pressure (MP). At 1105, the pilot reported an unusual and sudden vibration, followed by a sudden, and total loss of cylinder head temperature (CHT) and exhaust gas temperature (EGT) readings on the JPI Fuel Scan instrument for the #2 cylinder. The pilot advised air traffic control (ATC) that he had "lost a cylinder" and requested to land at the nearest airport. Approximately 1-minute later, while being vectored to the nearest airport, engine rpm dropped "dramatically", and would not develop power even though it was still turning. The pilot added that he slowed the airplane to best glide speed, and attempted to make a forced landing to a 4-lane highway. During the landing roll on the highway, the airplane struck a vehicle with its left wing. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane and reported that the left wing tip and wing spar were damaged. In addition, the #2 cylinder head was found partially separated from the engine. The 215-horsepower Continental TSIO-360-GB engine had accrued a total of 326 hours since top overhaul, and 887 hours since major overhaul. Several of the cylinders, including the #2 cylinder, had a Cerminil finish. The #2 cylinder was retained for further examination at the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington, D.C. According to a Senior Materials Engineer at the laboratory, a detailed examination of the #2 cylinder head revealed that the cylinder head was fractured circumferentially between that fourth and fifth fins from the engine end of the head. As a result, the head was in two pieces: the engine side and the dome side. The engine side of the head remained attached to the barrel and the injector line was fractured at one of the brazed joint for one of the ferrules. The piston, push rods, and lifters appeared undamaged, and the oil filter was not examined. Weather at the time of the accident included wind from 270 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 5 statute miles, mist, and the sky condition was clear. The temperature was 75 degrees Fahrenheit, the dew point was 71 degrees Fahrenheit, and the barometric pressure setting was 29.74 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N231PG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N231PG), registered now, S/N 25-0242, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20K - Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-0242 - Airframe hours: 4445 - Engines: Continental TSI0-360GB 215 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Coral Day Company, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 2003, 43 hours before - Departed: ESN, Easton, MD - Destination: MTV, Martinsville, VA - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 23, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 692 total, 171 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.73 inHg - Observed at: RIC ## Other investigations on N231PG (1) 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 DEN88LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA143), Jul 1, 1988: Mooney M-20K (N231PG), Gunnison, CO, substantial damage 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.