# NTSB LAX87FA066: Mooney M20K, N4004H, Flagstaff, AZ, December 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 20, 1986, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Flagstaff, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.230854, -111.719085 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2309&lon=-111.7191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25364
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25364/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA066

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - in-flight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,ram air/induction air - blocked(total) (cause)
  - flight manuals - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,ram air/induction air - ice (cause)
  - induction air control/system - not switched (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED CLOUDS AND TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT AT 17,500 FEET ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL. THE ENGINE FAILED SHORTLY AFTER THE ENCOUNTER WITH THE WEATHER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE DURING THE FORCED LANDING DESCENT AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF 6110 FEET MSL. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE ENDUCTION SYSTEM REVEALED A COATING OF GLOBULAR ICE FORMATION AND CRYSTALS ON THE INDUCTION AIR FILTER. THE ALTERNATE AIR DOOR WAS CLOSED AND THE ALTERNATE AIR CONTROL WAS IN THE FILTERED POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4004H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4004H-2013-09-17), registration cancelled 2013-09-17, S/N 25-0403, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20K
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-0403
- Airframe hours: 1050
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-GB1 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph C. Rodgers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 23, 1986, 48 hours before
- Departed: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA
- Destination: GCK, GARDEN CITY, KS
- Airport: FLG, Pulliam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,160 total, 1,865 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLG, 26 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 19861220068459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861220068459A), Dec 20, 1986: Mooney M20J, Flagstaff, AZ, Substantial damage. Vacuum pump failed. Pilot failed to use alternate vacuum. Engine quit due to induction ice. Failed to use alternate

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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