# NTSB NYC89LA047: Mooney M20J, N3820H, New Alexandria, PA, December 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1988, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: New Alexandria, PA
- Coordinates: 40.39027, -79.409584 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3903&lon=-79.4096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36349
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36349/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA047

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL EXPERIENCE DURING LANDING ROLLOUT AFTER AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING WAS MADE DUE TO A POWER LOSS CAUSED  BY CONTAMINATED FUEL. WATER HAD BEEN REMOVED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS CRUISING AT 3500 FEET WHEN IT LOST POWER AND MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD. IT STRUCK A POTHOLE DURING LANDING ROLLOUT AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST WITH THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. ON SCENE INVESTIGATION BY THE FAA SHOWED THE GASCOLATOR FULL OF ICE AND THE RIGHT FUEL DRAIN WAS FROZEN. LATER THE AIRCRAFT WAS WARMED UP IN A HANGAR AND 1/2 GALLON OF WATER WAS REMOVED FROM THE RIGHT WING. WATER WAS ALSO FOUND IN THE ENGINE FUEL CONTROL INLET SCREEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3820H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0951
- Airframe hours: 745
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William A. Jardine
- Registered owner: Randall Holmes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1988, 12 hours before
- Departed: COLLEGE STATION, PA
- Destination: PITTSBURGH, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12,800 total, 780 in this make and model, 11,600 as pilot in command, 122 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19881211071649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881211071649A), Dec 11, 1988: Mooney M20J, New Alexandria, PA, Substantial damage. Aircraft sat out. Warmed in hangar and sumped. Engine quit after takeoff. Found frozen water blocking fuel system.

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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