# NTSB MKC81FCD17: Mooney M20J, N4452H, Norwalk, IA, April 23, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 23, 1981
- Place: Norwalk, IA · NORWALK, IA
- Location: 41.4871° N, 93.6983° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Norwalk, IA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4871&lon=-93.6983&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126243
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC81FCD17
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81FCD17

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0757  81/4/23    NORWALK,IA          MOONEY M20J         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 35, 268
        TIME - 1105                    N4452H              PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 25 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DENVER,CO                   MONTICELLO,IA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: DESCENDING
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE CONTROLS: THROTTLE-POWER LEVER ASSEMBLIES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY INSTALLED
           MISCELLANEOUS - EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID COLLISION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- THROTTLE CTL ARM,PN 2521196,ON FUEL CTL UNIT LOOSE.MNVRD TO AVOID PWR LNS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4452H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4452H), registered now, S/N 24-0738, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19810423018479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810423018479A), Apr 23, 1981: Mooney M20J, Norwalk, IA, Substantial damage. Aircraft damaged during forced landing. Engine did not respond to throttle & pilot made emergency landing.

## Other investigations on N4452H (1)

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.

- [NTSB WPR26FA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA198), May 23, 2026: Mooney M20J (N4452H), Woodlake, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal, investigation ongoing

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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