# NTSB NYC90LA064: Mooney M20-K, N1149G, Gibsonia, PA, January 31, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1990, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Gibsonia, PA
- Coordinates: 40.63018, -79.939689 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6302&lon=-79.9397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36607
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36607/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA064

## Probable cause

THE COLLISION WITH RODS IN THE FIELD AS THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A FORCED LANDING AFTER A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,camshaft - fractured (cause)
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - fractured (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - open field
  - object - other

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS AND MADE A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING LANDING WHEN IT STRUCK STEEL RODS. THE ENGINE WAS TORN DOWN AND THE CAMSHAFT DRIVE GEAR HAD A CHUNK (3 TEETH) MISSING, AND THE CRANKSHAFT CLUSTER WHICH MESHES WITH THE CAMSHAFT DRIVE GEAR WAS FOUND TO HAVE 7 TEETH STRIPPED OFF AT THE BASE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1149G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1149G), registered now, S/N 25-0606, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20-K
- 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: 25-0606
- Airframe hours: 1065
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David M. Morrison
- Registered owner: Fred Danovitz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 5, 1989, 4 hours before
- Departed: AGC, WEST MIFFLIN, PA
- Destination: BTP, BUTLER, PA
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 897 total, 25 in this make and model, 794 as pilot in command, 148 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 45 °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 19900131020299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900131020299A), Jan 31, 1990: Mooney M20K, Gibsonia, PA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power shortly after takeoff. Crash landed. Camshaft gear teeth were missing. Debris through engine.

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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