# NTSB LAX82DA055: Mooney M20J, N4510H, Avalon, CA, January 30, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1982, 10:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Avalon, CA
- Coordinates: 33.380374, -118.45079 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3804&lon=-118.4508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 30, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69859
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69859/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA055

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb
  - other system - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - electrical system - fire (contributing factor)
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT UPON TOUCHDOWN AT SANTA CATALINA AIRPORT SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE TRIM WAS STUCK. AS THE AIRCRAFT REACHED MIDFIELD THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A GO-AROUND. DURING CLIMBOUT WHILE PASSING THROUGH 1700 FEET THE PILOT STATED THAT SHE SMELLED SOMETHING ELECTRICAL BURNING. THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER AT THIS POINT AND WAS DITCHED GEAR-UP IN THE OCEAN. THE AIRCRAFT SANK IN APPROXIMATELY 200 FOOT DEEP WATERS AND HAS NOT BEEN RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4510H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24 0754
- Airframe hours: 1331
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sydney Xinos
- Registered owner: Sydney Xinos
- Departed: SDM, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Destination: 075, DEER PARK, WA
- Airport: AVX, Santa Catalina, runway 22, 3,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,086 total, 140 in this make and model, 653 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 135 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVX

## 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 19820130002169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820130002169A), Jan 30, 1982: Mooney M20J, Avalon, CA, Destroyed. Engine lost power on climb from an aborted landing. Ditched in ocean off Catalina island. Plastic smoke in cabin.

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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