# NTSB LAX90LA284: Mooney M20C, N9236M, Lodi, CA, August 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1990, 12:04 local (19:04 UTC)
- Place: Lodi, CA
- Coordinates: 38.11082, -121.159324 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1108&lon=-121.1593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26890
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA284
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26890/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA284

## Probable cause

THE PILOT TO CONTINUE HIS FLIGHT WITH A UNRESOLVED DEFICIENCY IN THE AIRCRAFT POWERPLANT RESULTING IN TOTAL FAILURE OF THE POWERPLANT.

## 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
  - engine assembly - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lubricating system - pressure too low (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - engine assembly - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED ANOTHER APRT EARLIER THE SAME DAY. THE PLT NOTICED THE ENG OIL PRESS WAS LOW. THE PLT DIVERTED FROM HIS DESTINATION TO ANOTHER APRT. WHILE ENROUTE, THE ENG OIL PRESS GAUGE WENT TO ZERO. AFTER LANDING, THE PLT CHECKED THE ACFT ENG OIL SYSTEM FOR LEAKS. THERE WERE NONE AND THE  QUANTITY OF OIL WAS CORRECT AT 7 QTS. THE PLT THEN ELECTED TO CONTINUE FLT. ABOUT 1 HR INTO THE FLT, THE ACFT PROP WENT TO LOW PITCH; 30 SECONDS LATER THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT LANDED THE ACFT IN A FIELD. THE ENG WAS EXAMINED AND A HOLE WAS FOUND IN THE ENG CASE. THE NO 2 PISTON ROD HAD FAILED. THE ROD EXHIBITED SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT EVIDENT OF OIL STARVATION. THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9236M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9236M-1991-08-22), registration cancelled 1991-08-22, S/N 3445 (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: 3445
- Airframe hours: 2897
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gifford, Kevin H.
- Registered owner: Gifford, Kevin H
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1990, 48 hours before
- Departed: FAT, FRESN0, CA
- Destination: MYV, MARYSVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 474 total, 65 in this make and model, 199 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SCK, 20 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 19900811033379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900811033379A), Aug 11, 1990: Mooney M20C, Lodi, CA, Substantial damage. Low oil pressure. Landed. Appeared ok. Departed. En route engine siezed. Crash landed. Piston rod broke. Lacked oil

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.