# NTSB LAX90LA165: Mooney M20, N300MD, Torrance, CA, May 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1990, 17:16 local (May 6, 1990, 00:16 UTC)
- Place: Torrance, CA
- Location: 33.8034° N, 118.3396° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ZAMPERINI FLD (TOA), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8034&lon=-118.3396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26795
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26795/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA165

## Probable cause

WATER CONTAMINATION INTRODUCED INTO THE AIRPLANE FUEL SYSTEM WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS WASHED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS AN 18 KNOT TAILWIND DURING LANDING ROLL WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE OVERRUNNING THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - object - other
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT INDICATED THE ENG LOST POWER AND CONTINUED TO IDLE AT 400 FT AGL WHILE IN A RIGHT TURN. THE PLT LANDED THE AIRPLANE ON THE TAKEOFF RWY IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION. THE AIRPLANE OVERRAN THE RWY, AND STRUCK AN IRRIGATION PIPE. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. AN 18 KNOT TAILWIND WAS REPORTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRPLANE HAD A LOSS OF ENG POWER IN AUGUST OF 1989. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT. THE ENG WAS EXAMINED AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION FOUND. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN FLOWN ONCE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR SINCE AGU 1989. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE ENG WAS AGAIN EXAMINED. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE ENG STARTED AND RAN FOR 30 MIN AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT INDICATED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN WASHED BEFORE THE AUGUST 1989 INCIDENT. IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS AGAIN WASHED BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N300MD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N300MD), registered now, S/N 400 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20
- 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: 400
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Straub, Paul M.
- Registered owner: Staub, Paul M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1990, 1 hours before
- Airport: TOA, Torrance Muni, runway 11R, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,426 total, 2,800 in this make and model, 3,426 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 10 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 19900505063619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900505063619A), May 5, 1990: Mooney M20E, Torrance, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Made 180 but overshot runway downwind.

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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