# NTSB MIA85LA164: Mooney M20C, N6850U, Bainbridge, GA, May 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1985, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Bainbridge, GA
- Location: 30.9049° N, 84.5730° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bainbridge, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9049&lon=-84.5730&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31394
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31394/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA164

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - corroded (contributing factor)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - fatigue (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (cause)
  - engine assembly - vibration
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT NOTED A SEVERE ENG VIBRATION. HE SHUT DOWN THE ENG & MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING. DURING THE ROLL-OUT, THE ACFT HIT A DITCH & WAS DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ONE PROP BLADE HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE & THE END OF THE BLADE HAD SEPARATED. THE FATIGUE HAD ORIGINATED ON THE SIDE OF THE BLADE. THERE WERE INDICATIONS OF CORROSION WERE THE CRACK BEGAN, APRX 17' FROM THE BASE OF THE BLADE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6850U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6850U), registered now, S/N 2555, 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: 2555
- Airframe hours: 2020
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Callahan Aviation Services
- Registered owner: Callahan Aviation Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1984
- Departed: SPG, SPARTANBURG, SC
- Destination: ANB, ANNISTON, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,070 total, 161 in this make and model, 1,974 as pilot in command, 102 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALB

## 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 19850504058539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850504058539A), May 4, 1985: Mooney M20C, Bainbridge, GA, Substantial damage. Landed in a field striking a fence and ditch after losing a section of propeller blade in flight.

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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