# NTSB LAX89LA040: Mooney M20J, N3875H, San Diego, CA, November 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1988, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 36.599571, -121.880424 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5996&lon=-121.8804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26290
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26290/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA040

## 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,cylinder - overtemperature (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - intentional

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER. A TURN WAS MADE TO LAND ON RWY 10R, BUT THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE LANDING AREA. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE MADE A WHEELS-UP LANDING SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. AN INSPECTIONOF THE ENGINE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF DETONATION OR PREIGNITION IN THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER. ANOTHER PILOT, WHO HAD FLOWN THE AIRPLANE ON THE PREVIOUS FLIGHT, SAID THAT WHEN HE WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT FROM A LONG FLIGHT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THE OIL TEMP AND CYLINDER HEAD TEMP ROSE ABOVE THE RED LINE. AFTER LANDING, HE NOTIFIED THE OPERATOR. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT A NEW SET OF SPARK PLUGS WERE INSTALLED AFTER THAT FLIGHT AND THE ENGINE RAN FINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3875H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3875H), registered now, S/N 24-0970, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0970
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Flyers Inc.
- Registered owner: Kinsella, Kenneth J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 8, 1988, 116 hours before
- Departed: MYF
- Airport: MYF, Montgomery Field, runway 28R, 3,400 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 156 total, 3 in this make and model, 93 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYF

## 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 19881104049499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881104049499A), Nov 4, 1988: Mooney M20J, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Loss of power and vibration on takeoff. Returned and landed gear up. Cylinder NR4 inoperative. Engine beyond tbo.

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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