# NTSB NYC98LA056: Mooney M20F, N9717M, Ferncliff, VA, December 28, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 28, 1997, 12:25 local (17:25 UTC) - Place: Ferncliff, VA - Coordinates: 38.009601, -77.989532 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0096&lon=-77.9895&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39525 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA056 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39525/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA056 ## Probable cause the improper installation of the engine oil temperature probe which resulted in oil starvation and a total loss of engine power. A factor in the accident was the pilot's overflight of available airports in an effort to reach the 'Nearest Airport' displayed on his loran equipment during the subsequent forced landing. ## 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 - normal - lubricating system - not secured - maintenance,installation - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause) - fluid,oil - starvation - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane was in cruise flight at 10,500 feet when the engine began to run rough. The pilot said after 30 seconds the engine seized and would not turn over. The airplane was 4 miles east of an airport at the time of the power loss, however, the pilot chose to turn towards an airport 20 miles to the north because it appeared on the 'Nearest Airport' display of the Loran equipment on board the airplane. The pilot determined he would not reach the intended airport and performed a forced landing to a field. Removal of the engine cowling revealed an oil soaked engine compartment and that 2 quarts of oil remained in the sump. The oil temperature probe was free of the engine case; attached only to the electrical lead. The threaded portion of the probe and its corresponding attachment point on the engine were undamaged. The probe's copper 'crush' washer displayed evidence of compression, however, no evidence of safety wire was found on the probe or the engine case. The engine was overhauled 30 days and 10 flight hours prior to the accident. The oil temperature probe was an airframe item that was removed and reinstalled after the engine overhaul. ## Factual narrative On December 28, 1997, at 1225 eastern standard time, a Mooney M-20F, N9717M, was destroyed during a forced landing near Ferncliff, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight that originated at Wakefield, Virginia, approximately 1100. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot reported the airplane was in cruise flight at 10,500 feet when the engine began to run rough, and "...within 30 seconds the engine seized and would not turn over." He turned towards the nearest airport, the Louisa County Airport [LKU], contacted Richmond Approach Control, and adjusted to best glide speed. The pilot stated: "At 5,000 feet I knew I would not make LKU [and] selected largest open field for forced landing. Was probably going to be long on landing, made 90 [degree] turn, and landed gear up across [the] field. Went through two fences and came to a stop." The pilot said a thorough preflight revealed no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. He said he added one quart of oil to the engine, bringing the total to 8 quarts. According to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, the airplane was in the vicinity of Fork Union, Virginia, 4 miles west of the Fuma Airport at the time of the power loss. However, the pilot chose to turn towards LKU, 20 miles to the north, because it appeared on the "Nearest Airport" display of the LORAN equipment on board the airplane. The Inspector stated "several" airports were available to the pilot between Fork Union and LKU. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA Inspector revealed the propeller did not turn by hand. Removal of the engine cowling revealed an oil soaked engine compartment and that 2 quarts of oil remained in the sump. The oil temperature probe was free of the engine case; attached only to the electrical lead. The threaded portion of the probe and its corresponding attachment point on the engine were undamaged. The probe's copper 'crush' washer displayed evidence of compression, however, no evidence of safety wire was found on the probe or the engine case. The pilot reported the engine was overhauled during the airplane's most recent annual inspection. The inspection was completed 30 days and 10 flight hours prior to the accident. The oil temperature probe was an airframe item that was removed prior to, and reinstalled after, the engine overhaul. In a telephone interview, the mechanic who installed the probe stated the probe was tightened to the manufacturer's recommended torque value. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9717M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9717M-2000-10-26), registration cancelled 2000-10-26, S/N 670277 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20F - Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 670277 - Airframe hours: 3750 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Randy Lee Johnson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 21, 1997, 10 hours before - Departed: AKQ, WAKEFIELD, VA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 607 total, 350 in this make and model, 582 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CHO, 25 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 19971228042769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971228042769A), Dec 28, 1997: Mooney M20F, Ferncliff, VA, Destroyed. Engine oil temp. Probe backed out of case, no sign of safety wire. Engine siezed. Gaer up field landing. (.4)the airplane was in cruise flight at 10,500 feet… 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.