# NTSB MIA08LA188: Mooney M20C, N21MY, Wallace, NC, September 9, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 9, 2008, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Wallace, NC - Coordinates: 34.716945, -78.015556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7169&lon=-78.0156&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68896 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08LA188 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68896/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA188 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff when the engine failed to develop full power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to remove the intake plugs prior to takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Misc hardware](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified; cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reportedly performed a preflight inspection of the airplane using the airplane's checklist, and also performed an engine run-up before takeoff; no discrepancies were noted. The pilot applied power to take off and no discrepancies were noted. A witness reported hearing the engine running smooth but perceived it to be operating at a reduced power setting (estimated 60 percent power) during the takeoff roll. He advised the pilot on the common traffic advisory frequency to apply full power but he didn't respond. The witness saw the airplane become airborne just short of midfield, but noted that it was slow leaving the runway. Additionally, the airplane remained in ground effect for most of the remaining runway and climbed no higher than 100 feet above ground level. The pilot stated that when the flight was at that altitude, he experienced a sudden loss of engine power. He continued straight ahead past the departure end of the runway and executed a forced landing into the tops of trees. During recovery of the airplane, green colored foam and red colored lanyard material was found wedged against the engine baffling behind the propeller spinner bulkhead. No blockage of the air induction filter was noted. Following recovery of the airplane, a replacement propeller was installed and the engine was started and operated to full power as indicated by the tachometer with no discrepancies noted. Following the engine run, red colored lanyard consistent with that used as a streamer for the engine cowling ram air inlet plugs was found on top of the engine cylinders. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 2008, about 1030 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N21MY, registered to and operated by a private individual, collided with trees during takeoff from Henderson Field Airport (ACZ), Wallace, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight from ACZ to Norfolk International Airport (ORF), Norfolk, Virginia. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-certificated pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated about 1 minute earlier. The pilot stated that the fuel tanks were filled after landing the night before, and the airplane was then secured. He installed the pitot tube cover but did not install the cabin cover or the engine cowling plugs. The next morning he obtained a preflight weather briefing and preflighted the airplane using a checklist. After starting the engine he taxied to runway 27, and performed an engine run-up; no discrepancies were reported. He reviewed the before takeoff checklist and applied power with no engine discrepancies noted. He rotated at 63 knots, and when the flight was at 100 feet above ground level (agl), he noticed a sudden loss of engine power. He confirmed all throttle controls were full forward and the auxiliary fuel pump was on. He was unable to maintain altitude and executed a forced landing into the tops of trees that were ahead and past the departure end of the runway. The airplane then descended and impacted the ground. He advised the FAA inspector-in-charge that prior to tree contact, he looked at the fuel pressure gauge and noted the reading was below the green arc. According to the airport manager, who helped the pilot fill the fuel tanks the night before, and who also witnessed the entire flight, the pilot taxied to the approach end of runway 27 but he did not hear an engine run-up before takeoff. He noticed the pilot had the first notch of flaps extended, and during the takeoff roll, he perceived the engine was not developing full power though it was running smooth with no missing or sputtering. He advised the pilot on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) to apply full power but he didn't respond. The airplane rotated short of midfield down the 3,850 foot-long runway, and was slow to leave the runway. The airplane remained in ground effect for most of the remaining runway, and climbed no higher than 60-80 feet on runway heading. The witness further reported he did not see any smoke trailing the airplane during the flight. Examination of the accident site and wreckage by the FAA-IIC several hours after the accident revealed the airplane came to rest with the empennage approximately 30 degrees past vertical, with the engine and right wing contacting the ground. Although the FAA-IIC did not smell fuel while on-scene, first responders reported smelling fuel. The fuel selector was positioned to the right tank, and theauxiliary fuel pump switch was found in the off position. No breach of either fuel tank was noted; however, fuel had leaked from the right tank fuel vent. The landing gear was down and locked, and the mixture and propeller controls were full forward, while the throttle control was approximately 3/4 full forward. During recovery of the airplane, green colored foam and red lanyard material were noted wedged against the engine baffling behind the propeller spinner bulkhead. No blockage of the air induction filter was noted. Following recovery of the airplane, a replacement propeller was installed, and the engine was started and operated to full power as indicated by the tachometer using only the engine-driven fuel pump; no discrepancies were noted. Additionally, the electric fuel pumped operated satisfactorily providing fuel pressure to the normal operating range prior to starting the engine. Following the engine run, red colored lanyard was noted on top of the cylinders. The lanyard material was consistent with material used as streamers for ram air inlet plugs. The recovered foam material was torn and ripped. There were no reported discrepancies from the pilots of airplanes fueled from the same source as the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21MY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21MY-2009-04-08), registration cancelled 2009-04-08, S/N 2522, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C - Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2522 - Airframe hours: 3921.37 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Conley Raymond G - Registered owner: Conley Raymond G - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 2008 - Departed: ACZ, Wallace, NC - Destination: ORF, Norfolk, VA - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 24, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 3,666 total, 2,900 in this make and model, 3,631 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: DPL, 17 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 20080909847879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080909847879A), Sep 9, 2008: Mooney M20C, Wallace, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) During takeoff from runway 27 (length 3,998 feet) at Wallace, NC airport (acz), pilot crashed N21MY into a pine forest off the departure end of runway 27… 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.