# NTSB LAX89LA180: Mooney M20C, N5909Q, Hesperia, CA, April 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1989, 13:55 local (20:55 UTC)
- Place: Hesperia, CA
- Coordinates: 34.360603, -117.320617 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3606&lon=-117.3206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26398
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26398/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA180

## Probable cause

THE PILOT, THE OPERATOR OF THE AIRPLANE, IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED THE AIRPLANE, AND DURING THE ENSUING FORCED LANDING THE PILOT'S INFLIGHT PLANNING WAS POOR AND THAT HE MISJUDEGED THE AIRPLANE'S ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - single engine aircraft
  - lubricating system,oil pressure pump - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - lubricating system,oil pressure pump - fatigue (contributing factor)
  - fluid,oil - starvation
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - not performed, company/operator management (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A TOTAL, MECHANICAL INDUCED, ENGINE FAILURE. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON A PRIVATELY OWNED, UNIMPROVED, AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT IMPROPERLY PLANNED THE APPROACH AND MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE, LANDED LONG AND OVERSHOT THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NEITHER THE AIRPLANE NOR THE ENGINE RECEIVED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WITHIN THE PRECEDING 5 YEARS. THE ENGINE OIL PUMP DRIVE GEAR FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SUSTAIN OIL STARVATION. THE FRACTURED SURFACES DISPLAYED FATIGUE CHARACTERISTICS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5909Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5909Q-1991-12-12), registration cancelled 1991-12-12, S/N 3163 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3163
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Prinzing, Rick
- Registered owner: Tracy, Gerald W
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1984
- Departed: 101, LLANO, CA
- Destination: L67, RIALTO, CA
- Airport: NONE, Hesperia

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 195 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19890413066329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890413066329A), Apr 13, 1989: Mooney M20C, Hesperia, CA, Substantial damage. Engine failed, overshot Private strip used for emergency. Oil pump drive gear failed. Last annual 5 years prior.

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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