# NTSB NYC96LA186: Mooney M20K, N3375X, Islip, NY, September 21, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 21, 1996, 10:47 local (14:47 UTC) - Place: Islip, NY - Coordinates: 40.730186, -73.209701 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7302&lon=-73.2097&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 June 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39243 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39243/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA186 ## Probable cause loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), which resulted in an emergency/wheels-up landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - maintenance,annual inspection - not verified - maintenance,recordkeeping - inadequate, owner/pilot mechanic - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - wheels up landing ## Analysis The pilot/owner of the airplane and a passenger departed on a local flight. After takeoff from runway 33L, at 200 to 300 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot initiated a left turn back to the airport, and made a wheels-up landing on the approach end of runway 10, heading in a westerly direction. The airplane then slid onto the grass between the taxiway and runway. Examination of the airplane by an FAA Inspector revealed fuel in the airplane's fuel tanks, lines, and filter. Examination of the engine revealed valve train continuity, compression in all cylinders, and spark from the magnetos. The airplane had not been flown for about 1 month, and was refueled just prior to the flight. The pilot was also an FAA certified mechanic. He stated that he had made a log book entry of the airplane's annual inspection and signed it off the evening after the accident, but he could not recall when the inspection was actually completed. ## Factual narrative On September 21, 1996, at 1047 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20K, N3375X, was substantially damaged during a forced after takeoff from the Long Island Mac Arthur Airport (ISP), Islip, New York. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at ISP. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated he had refueled the airplane prior to the flight. After takeoff from runway 33L, during the landing gear retraction, the engine lost power. He then initiated a left turn back to the airport and completed a gear up landing. During an interview with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot stated that the airplane had sat unused for 1 month, and had been refueled with 32.2 gallons of fuel before the takeoff. After takeoff, at 200 to 300 feet above the runway, the engine lost power and the pilot attempted a left turn to land on the taxiway parallel to runway 10. The airplane landed on the approach end of runway 10, heading in a westerly direction, and slid onto the grass between the taxiway and runway. The airplane came to rest on a heading of 230 degrees. On September 23, 1996, the pilot, also an FAA certified mechanic, arrived at the FAA Inspector's Office to present the airplane's maintenance log books for examination. After a review of the maintenance records by the FAA Inspector, the pilot voluntarily surrendered his medical and pilot certificates to the FAA Inspector. He also surrendered his airframe and powerplant mechanic, and inspection authorization certificates. The pilot stated that he had entered the airplane's annual inspection and signed it off the evening after the accident, and that he could not recall when the inspection was actually completed. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA Inspector revealed fuel in the airplane's fuel tanks, lines, and filter. Examination of the engine revealed valve train continuity, compression in all cylinders, and spark from the magnetos. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3375X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3375X-2013-04-16), registration cancelled 2013-04-16, S/N 670029, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20K - 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: 670029 - Airframe hours: 5119 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eugene E. Miglionico - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: ISP - Airport: ISP, Long Island Mac Arthur, runway 33L, 5,186 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,400 total, 26 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 4 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ISP ## 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 19960921029179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960921029179A), Sep 21, 1996: Mooney M20F, Islip, NY, Substantial damage. Made sharp left turn after takeoff and crashed south of runway. (.4)the pilot/owner of the airplane and a passenger departed on a local flight. After takeoff… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.