# NTSB LAX88LA279: Mooney M20E, N9273M, Visalia, CA, August 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1988, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Visalia, CA
- Coordinates: 36.289882, -119.379516 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2899&lon=-119.3795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26073
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA279
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26073/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA279

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - engine accessories,vacuum pump - lack of (cause)
  - fluid,oil - loss,total (cause)
  - engine assembly - seized (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REMOVED THE VACUUM PUMP FROM THE ENGINE PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT BECAUSE OF AN INTERNAL FAILURE IN THE PUMP. THE PILOT DID NOT INSTALL A COVER PLATE ON THE ACCESSORY MOUNTING HOLE VACATED BY THE PUMP. AFTER TAKEOFF ON THE LOCAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT NOTICED THE OIL PRESSURE WAS DROPPING AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS RISING. HE ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. THE ENGINE SIEZED AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A COTTON FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9273M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9273M-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 1212, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1212
- Airframe hours: 1629
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stanford, William L.
- Registered owner: Itzaco, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 1987, 35 hours before
- Departed: VIS
- Destination: VIS
- Airport: VIS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 531 total, 466 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880803067969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880803067969A), Aug 3, 1988: Mooney M20E, Visalia, CA, Substantial damage. Engine seized on climbout. Crash landed near airport. Pilot removed broken vacuum pump but failed to cover hole.

## Other investigations on N9273M (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 SEA95LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA141), Jun 29, 1995: Mooney M20E (N9273M), Ronan, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A ROUGH/UNEVEN AIRSTRIP AND TALL VEGETATION.

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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