# NTSB LAX94LA260: Mooney M20J, N201NK, Big Bear, CA, June 20, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 19, 1994, 19:40 local (Jun 20, 1994, 02:40 UTC) - Place: Big Bear, CA - Coordinates: 34.23072, -116.860427 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2307&lon=-116.8604&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28778 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA260 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28778/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=28778 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA260 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power from a malfunctioning magneto due to a loose oil seal in an overhauled magneto. ## 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 - ignition system,magneto - contamination,other than water (cause) - ignition system,magneto - malfunction (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Ditching, descent - emergency ## Analysis AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND DITCHED INTO A LAKE OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. WITNESSES ON THE GROUND HEARD THE ENGINE MISSING AND OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE COWLING AREA. THE AIRCRAFT RECORDS INDICATE THAT THE MAGNETO WAS REPLACED WITH AN OVERHAULED UNIT 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. EXAMINATION OF THE MAGNETO FOUND THAT THE OIL SLINGER RING WAS LOOSE WHICH ALLOWED THE LUBRICATING OIL FROM THE CRANKCASE TO ENTER THE ELECTRICAL PORTION OF THE MAGNETO. THE SPARK PLUGS THEN FAILED TO FIRE PROPERLY RESULTING IN A RICH MIXTURE AND SUBSEQUENT SMOKE. ## Factual narrative On June 19, 1994, at 1940 hours Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N201NK, lost power during takeoff from runway 26 at the Big Bear City Airport, Big Bear City, California, and ditched into the water of Baker Lake about 1,500 feet from the departure end of the runway. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight by the pilot/co-owner. The airplane was substantially damaged. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight was destined for Santa Monica, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Witnesses reported the loss of engine power was preceded by smoke coming from the engine cowling and they heard the engine missing. The airplane owner indicated this was the airplane's third flight after the annual inspection. The pilot had test flown the aircraft after the annual inspection and made a comment to the mechanic about the change in the leaning that seemed different. The mechanic stated that the timing shouldn't have been changed during the annual. The pilot stated that the trip up to Big Bear was uneventful with normal preflight, runup, and departure. The airplane's magneto was examined and oil was found in the capacitor. Disassembly of the magneto revealed the oil slinger ring was loose. Oil from the crankcase that lubricates the magneto gear on the camshaft can pass into the electrical portion of the magneto. The aircraft records indicate that the magneto was replaced on 4/15/94 with an overhauled unit. ## Aircraft - Registration: N201NK (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-0303 - Airframe hours: 3428 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Harry Kilpatrick - Registered owner: David R. Axelrod - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 1994, 2 hours before - Departed: L35 - Destination: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA - Airport: L35, Big Bear, runway 26, 5,850 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,079 total, 526 in this make and model, 852 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ONT, 1 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 19940619015679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940619015679A), Jun 19, 1994: Mooney M20J, Big Bear, CA, Substantial damage. Smoking missing engine on takeoff. Ditched in lake. Recent annual and mag work. Oil slinger ring loose. Oil in mag. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 6, 1995, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=28778. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 357 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445233&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Teledyne Continental Motors Excerpts from Service Support Manual (item 2, .PDF, 210 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445234&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Teledyne%20Continental%20Motors%20Excerpts%20from%20Service%20Support%20Manual-Redacted.PDF - Aero Mag, Inc., Letter Dated June 30, 1994 (item 3, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445235&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aero%20Mag,%20Inc.,%20Letter%20Dated%20June%2030,%201994-Redacted.PDF - Bill's Air Center FAX Dated June 28, 1994 (item 4, .PDF, 470 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445236&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Bill%27s%20Air%20Center%20FAX%20Dated%20June%2028,%201994-Redacted.PDF - Aircraft Logbook Copy (item 5, .PDF, 440 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445237&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Logbook%20Copy-Redacted.PDF 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.