# NTSB MKC84FCA02: Mooney M20E, N9373M, Chesterfield, MO, August 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1984, 18:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Chesterfield, MO
- Coordinates: 38.649013, -90.530456 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6490&lon=-90.5305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33559
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FCA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33559/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FCA02

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED SHORT OF THE RWY AFTER MAKING A 180 DEG TURN AFTER TAKEOFF FOLLOWING A LOSS OF POWER. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF & AT AN INDICATED AIRSPEED OF 100 TO 110 MPH, AT AN ALTITUDE OF 50 FT, THE ACFT ENG STARTED TO LOSE POWER. HE DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT AND THE ACFT STARTED TO STALL WHILE IN THE TURN CRASHING INTOAN OPEN DITCH NEAR THE END OF THE RWY. INVESTIGATION SHOWED A DISCREPANCY OF THE FUEL NOZZLES IN THE NO. 4 CYLINDER WHICH WERE FOUND BLOCKED. THE SERVO FUEL INJECTOR HAD WATER IN THE FUEL CHAMBER & THE FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL STRAINER TO FUEL CONTROL HAD WASTER MIXED WITH GASOLINE. THE PROPELLER WAS REMOVED & CHECKED NORMAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9373M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9373M), registered now, S/N 1305, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1305
- Airframe hours: 3166
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clement Atwell
- Registered owner: Kathleen A. Warda
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 1984, 99 hours before
- Departed: SUS, CHESTERFIELD, MO
- Destination: DEC, DECATUR, IL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SUS, Spirit Of St. Louis

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 691 total, 622 in this make and model, 622 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUS

## 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 19840828044159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840828044159A), Aug 28, 1984: Mooney M20E, Chesterfield, MO, Destroyed. Stalled trying to turn back to runway after takeoff. Water in fuel lines and fuel injector. Spark plugs fouled.

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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