# NTSB NYC90LA053: Mooney M20, N231FH, Brogue, PA, January 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1990, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Brogue, PA
- Coordinates: 39.860202, -76.450408 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8602&lon=-76.4504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36600
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36600/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA053

## Probable cause

OFF AIRPORT LANDING DUE TO AN ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE NO. 2 CRANKSHAFT BEARING.

## 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
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES SOUTHWEST OF LANCASTER, THE AIRCRAFT DEVELOPED ENGINE NOISE, LOW OIL PRESSURE AND HIGH OIL TEMPERATURE. THE PILOT INFORMED LNS TOWER AND SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN, CUT THE MASTER SWITCH OFF AND ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST 75 YARDS DOWN A SMALL RAVINE AND ERUPTED IN FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N231FH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N231FH-2014-09-16), registration cancelled 2014-09-16, S/N 25-0216, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20
- Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-0216
- Airframe hours: 1400
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-GB 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carl Offenbacker
- Registered owner: Offenbacher, Aquatics Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GAITHERSBURG, MD
- Destination: LNS, LANCASTER, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,300 total, 1,500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CXY, 20 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 19900119000789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900119000789A), Jan 19, 1990: Mooney M20K, Brogue, PA, Destroyed. Crankshaft broke at cruise. Overshot open field landing downwind. Improperly installed cyclinder bolts had 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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