# NTSB NYC88LA117: Mooney M20, N2746W, Manchester, NH, March 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1988, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Manchester, NH
- Location: 42.9956° N, 71.4548° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Manchester, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9956&lon=-71.4548&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36126
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36126/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA117

## Probable cause

MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL IMPROPERLY INSTALLED THE NUMBER TWO CONNECTING ROD (P/N L-10646) CAUSING IT TO SEPARATE, CREATE A HOLE IN THE ENGINE CASE, LOSS OF ENGINE OIL AND ENGINE POWER. DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION, HE PERFORMED A WHEELS UP LANDING ON A HIGHWAY BRIDGE CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - separation (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - separation (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod cap - separation (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE AND AFTER REACHING AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 2,000 FEET, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE AND AT THE SAME TIME OIL SPLATTERED ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY WHEELS UP LANDING ON A BRIDGE ON ROUTE 93 IN HOOKSETT, NEW HAMPSHIRE. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED A HOLE IN THE ENGINE UPPER CASE AT THE NO. 2 CYLINDER AND A FRACTURED AND DEFOREMED NO. 2 CONNECTING ROD. METALLURGICAL EXAM INDICATED THAT THE CONNECTING ROD BOLT NUT ON THE NO.2 CYLINDER BACKED COMPLETELY OFF THE BOLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2746W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2746W-2014-09-25), registration cancelled 2014-09-25, S/N 1042, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20
- 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: 1042
- Airframe hours: 2870
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fatios Grannopoulas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1987
- Departed: MHT, MANCHESTER, NH
- Destination: CONCORD, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,870 total, 370 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles

## 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 19880327008699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880327008699A), Mar 27, 1988: Mooney M20E, Manchester, NH, Substantial damage. Vibration on climb to cruise and engine quit. Landed gear up on a highway bridge. Engine rod separated from shaft.

## Other investigations on N2746W (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 FTW67D0350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67D0350), Nov 20, 1966: Mooney M20E (N2746W), Chihuahua, Mexico, substantial damage

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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