# NTSB LAX85FA159: Mooney M-20-E, N9325M, Oceanside, CA, February 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1985, 11:02 local (19:02 UTC)
- Place: Oceanside, CA
- Coordinates: 33.200599, -117.350074 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2006&lon=-117.3501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24474/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA159

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,ring - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,bearing - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - inoperative (cause)
  - lubricating system - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

GND WITNESSES REPORTED THE ACFT ENGINE BEGAN TO MISFIRE SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING RY 24 AT OCEANSIDE MUNI ARPT OCEANSIDE, CA. WHEN THE ACFT REACHED THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RY AT AB OUT 100 FT AGL, THE PLT BEGAN A LEFT TURN. PRIOR TO COMPLETING THE TURN, THE ACFT STALLED A CRASHED INTO A BLDG LOCATED ASOUTH & ADFACENT TO RY 24. BOTH OCCUPANTS ABOARD THE ACFT SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES. NO PERSONS ON THE GROUND WERE INJURED. THE BLDS WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND ITS CONTENTS WERE DISTROYED. DISASSEMBLY EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NO. 1 CYL SPARK PLUGS WERE NOT FIREING AND THAT THE NO. 3 CYL PISTON COMPRESSION RING WAS BROKEN & THE UPPER SPARK PLUG WAS OIL SOAKED. THE ABSCENCE OF RING PAR- TICLES IN THE OITL FILTER INDICATED THE RING BROKE DURING THE ACCIDENT FLT. SEVERAL CRANKSHAFT & CON ROD BEARINGS SHOWED HIGH TEMP DISTRESS. MOST OF THE OIL PASSAGE HOLES WERE PARTIALLY BLOCKED BY THE BEARINGS. THE CRANKSHAFT WAS PUSHED REARWARD. THE MAINT LOGS REVEAL TWO PRIOR PROP GND CONTACT. THE ENG HAD NOT BEEN OVHLD & HAD ACCUM MORE THAN 1868 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9325M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M-20-E (N20E)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1257
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 500 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steven H. Chamblin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1985
- Departed: L32, OCEANSIDE, CA
- Destination: FOT, FORTUNA, CA
- Airport: L32, Oceanside, runway 24, 3,061 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °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 19850228039689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850228039689A), Feb 28, 1985: Mooney M20E, Oceanside, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Loss of power after liftoff, stalled and impacted building. Ring broken in cylinder, spark plugs fouled with oil.

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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