# NTSB NYC88LA184: Mooney M20F, N6310Q, Princeton, NJ, July 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1988, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Princeton, NJ
- Location: 40.3582° N, 74.6667° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Princeton, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3582&lon=-74.6667&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36185
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36185/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA184

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - induction air ducting - collapsed (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE MOONEY M20F MADE A TAKEOFF AND AS THE PILOT TURNED CROSSWIND, HE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS. HE RETURNED FOR A LANDING AND THE ENGINE SMOOTHED OUT. HE MADE EXTENSIVE GROUND RUNS AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER HE DID NOT HAVE MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL LOOK AT THE AIRCRAFT. ON THE SECOND TAKEOFF, HE AGAIN LOST POWER AND THIS TIME, MADE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN A FIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS HAD SOOT ON THEM. THE FUEL INJECTOR SERVO, MANIFOLD, AND NOZZLES CHECKED OUT OK; HOWEVER, THE RUBBER INTAKE BOOT BETWEEN THE AIR FILTER AND THE FUEL SERVO WAS FOUND PARTIALLY COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6310Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6310Q-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 670403, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 670403
- Airframe hours: 3249
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Leo Otway
- Registered owner: Millstone Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 1987, 83 hours before
- Airport: 39N, Princeton, runway 28, 3,105 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,219 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880717029149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880717029149A), Jul 17, 1988: Mooney M20F, Princeton/Rocky, NJ, Substantial damage. Engine failed on takeoff. Landed off end of runway. Engine air intake tube was partly collapsed, made mixture rich.

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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