# NTSB NYC87LA219: Mooney M20C, N3457X, Mclean, NY, August 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1987, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Mclean, NY
- Coordinates: 42.550754, -76.290954 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5508&lon=-76.2910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 17, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30708
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30708/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA219

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT HAD FLOWN FOR ABOUT 1-1/2 HOURS WHEN THE PILOT BEGAN A DESCENT FROM 12000 FEET FOR AN APPROACH. HOWEVER AT 3500 FEET, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT FROM NORMAL CRUISE TO IDLE. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE IN A CORN FIELD AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE NO MALFUNCTION OR MECHANICAL FAILURE COULD BE FOUND. THE ENGINE WAS SUCCESSFULLY RUN AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS TOO BUSY LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO LAND TO NOTICE THE ENGINE CONTROL POSITIONS OR INDICATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3457X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3457X-1990-07-20), registration cancelled 1990-07-20, S/N 3412 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: L-419-36A
- Airframe hours: 2438
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter G. Lindblad
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 1987, 2,402 hours before
- Departed: RANGLEY, ME
- Destination: JAMESTOWN, NY
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 333 total, 333 in this make and model, 237 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19870807043129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870807043129A), Aug 7, 1987: Mooney M20C, Mclean, NY, Substantial damage. Pilot reported power loss. Damage occurred landing in a rogh field. Engine ran normal on post accident check.

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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