# NTSB SEA03LA176: Mooney M20D, N6619U, Hood River, OR, August 24, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 24, 2003, 11:27 local (18:27 UTC) - Place: Hood River, OR - Coordinates: 45.669723, -121.559165 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6697&lon=-121.5592&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Hillsboro FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57760 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57760/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA176 ## Probable cause A power loss due to a mis-seated intake valve on the #1 cylinder resulting in leakage during the compression stroke and low compression. Contributing factors were the rising terrain and trees. ## 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, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,valve,intake - leak (cause) - engine assembly,cylinder - low compression (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot's father (right seat), a commercial pilot with more than 2,000 hours in the accident aircraft, reported that the engine ran smoothly on the ground and an RPM check prior to takeoff yielded 2600 RPM. The takeoff roll on the 3,040-foot long asphalt runway seemed long with less than normal power to the flying pilot (left seat). The aircraft was rotated at 65 knots but settled back to the runway at which time the right seat pilot took control and established a shallow climb rate toward the rising terrain west of the airport. Both pilots felt that an aborted takeoff would result in an overrun into a grassy area containing vehicles and pedestrians. The flying pilot (right seat) then banked to avoid a large tree and the aircraft settled into the treetops eventually coming to rest inverted in a bog. Post-crash examination and test run of the engine revealed that the number one cylinder could develop no more than 25-35 pounds of compression. Further examination revealed the number one cylinder intake seat had dropped down out of its normally seated position at an angle preventing the valve from seating evenly during the compression stroke. ## Factual narrative On August 24, 2003, approximately 1127 Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20D, N6619U, registered to/operated by a commercial pilot, and being flown by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a partial loss of power and in-flight collision with trees and terrain during the initial climb following takeoff from Hood River Airport, Hood River, Oregon. The pilot, the commercially rated owner/operator and two additional passengers (four occupants total) incurred minor injuries during the accident. A VFR flight plan had been filed but was not activated and visual meteorological conditions existed. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14 CFR 91, and was destined for Eugene, Oregon. The pilot's father (right seat), a commercial pilot with more than 2,000 hours in the Mooney M20D, reported that the engine ran smoothly on the ground and an RPM check prior to takeoff yielded 2600 RPM. The pilot (left seat) reported that she applied full power for takeoff on runway 25, a 3,040-foot long asphalt runway. The takeoff roll seemed long and the power didn't seem full. She rotated the aircraft at 65 knots, became airborne and then the aircraft settled back to the runway. At that point the pilot's father took control of the aircraft and both pilots felt that an aborted takeoff would result in an overrun into a grassy area containing vehicles and pedestrians. The pilot's father was able to establish a shallow climb rate and the pilots reported that the stall warning horn did not go off during the climb. The terrain west of the airport was gradually rising (refer to CHART I). The flying pilot then banked to avoid a large tree and the aircraft settled into the treetops eventually coming to rest inverted in a bog (refer to photograph 1). Winds at The Dalles Airport, 16 nautical miles east were reported as 300 degrees magnetic at 5 knots approximately 25 minutes after the accident. Density altitude at Hood River was estimated at less than 2,000 feet at the time of the accident. The weights of the occupants and any accompanying baggage, as well as the total fuel weight aboard did not exceed the aircraft's maximum gross takeoff weight. Post-crash examination and test run of the engine revealed that the number one cylinder could develop no more than 25-35 pounds of compression. Further examination revealed the number one cylinder intake seat had dropped down out of its normally seated position at an angle preventing the valve from seating evenly during the compression stroke (refer to Attachment M-I). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6619U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6619U-2004-02-06), registration cancelled 2004-02-06, S/N 114, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20D - Registry model: [Mooney M20D](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20d) (registry code 5870210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 114 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lucas, James L. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 2002, 60 hours before - Departed: 4S2, Hood River, OR - Destination: EUG, Eugene, OR - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 4S2, Hood River, runway 25, 3,040 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 6, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 106 total, 7 in this make and model, 106 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days - Other flight crew; age 80; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 2, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 3,500 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: DLS, 16 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 20030824022479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030824022479A), Aug 24, 2003: Mooney M20D, Hood River, OR, Destroyed. (-23) On takeoff, loss of power, aircraft would not climb, aircraft failed to develop enough power and lift to gain proper altitude. At this point PIC, jolie… ## Other investigations on N6619U (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA75FTA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA75FTA02), Jul 15, 1974: Mooney M20D (N6619U), Glasgow, MT, substantial damage 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.