# NTSB NYC91LA219: Mooney M20F, N3827N, Meadville, PA, August 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1991, 01:45 local (05:45 UTC)
- Place: Meadville, PA
- Coordinates: 41.640895, -80.139297 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6409&lon=-80.1393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36996
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36996/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA219

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE RESULTING FROM THE FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE AND THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING AT NIGHT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE RESTRICTED VISIBILITY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - not possible, pilot in command
  - altitude - excessive, pilot in command
  - proper touchdown point - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS CRUISING AT NIGHT AT 8000 FEET.  THE PILOT SAID '[THERE WAS A] SUDDEN VIOLENT VIBRATION...[I] CHANGED MIXTURE, GAS TANKS, ADJUSTED PROP SETTING...NO CHANGES.  PULLED POWER BACK TO REDUCE VIBRATION.'  THE PILOT WAS VECTORED TOWARDS THE NEAREST AIRPORT.  HE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE THE RUNWAY, BUT BECAUSE OF FOG AND LACK OF ADEQUATE VISIBILITY, HE WAS UNABLE TO DISSIPATE THE EXCESS ALTITUDE AND OVERSHOT THE RUNWAY.  THE EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE FAILED BECAUSE OF FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3827N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3827N-2012-11-13), registration cancelled 2012-11-13, S/N 680126, 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: 688121
- Engines: LYCOMING IO360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James H. Flynn
- Registered owner: James H. Flynn
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: HEF, MANASSAS, VA
- Destination: APN, ALPINA, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 2G6, Meadville, runway 25, 5,002 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,519 total, 172 in this make and model, 1,365 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- 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 19910824036679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910824036679A), Aug 24, 1991: Mooney M20F, Meadville, PA, Substantial damage. Engine vibration en route. Vectored to airport. Overran runway landing. Exhaust valve broke. Rotor cap guide worn.

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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