# NTSB MKC86LA015: Mooney MK21, N3399X, Warren, AR, October 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1985, 21:50 local (Oct 25, 1985, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Warren, AR
- Coordinates: 33.609405, -92.059494 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6094&lon=-92.0595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34108
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34108/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA015

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine instruments,oil pressure gage - pressure too low
  - lubricating system - failure,partial (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AT CRUISE LEVEL FLT THE PLT RPTD A MALFUNCTIONING ENGINE. THE PLT WAS CLEARED TO DESCEND TO AN AIRPORT IN THE VICINITY. THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS INITIATED DUE TO AN OIL PRESSURE DECLINE. APPROACHING FOR THE LANDING THE PLT RPTD THE ENGINE COMPLETELY QUIT WHICH MADE A LANDINGAT THE AIRPORT IMPOSSIBLE. A TEARDOWN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 1 CONNECTING ROD WAS BROKEN WITH SIGNS OF EXTREME OVER HEATING TO THE POINT OF MELTING AND PERFORMING THE CONNECTING ROD AND CAP. THE ROD BEARING WAS SEVERELY WORN TO A POINT OF BEING PAPER THIN. THE OIL JOURNAL WAS CLOGGED WITH METAL DEBRIS. THE LACK OF LUBRICATION WAS CONFINED TO THIS CYLINDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3399X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3399X-2017-02-28), registration cancelled 2017-02-28, S/N 1106, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY MK21
- 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: 1106
- Airframe hours: 3442
- Engines: LYCOMING I0360 AIA 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Earl L.Kirkpatrick
- Registered owner: Earl L. Kirkpatrick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1984
- Departed: BHM, BIRMINGHAM, AL
- Destination: FTW, FORTH WORTH, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,105 total, 540 in this make and model, 888 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBF, 32 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 19851024056299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851024056299A), Oct 24, 1985: Mooney M20E, Warren, AR, Substantial damage. Engine quit during precautionary landing turn to final. Impacted short of runway. Connecting rod broken.

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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