# NTSB SEA83FYM04: Mooney M20K, N97429, Dufur, OR, January 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 24, 1983, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Dufur, OR
- Coordinates: 45.400588, -121.159347 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4006&lon=-121.1593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39647
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FYM04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39647/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FYM04

## 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
  - ignition system,magneto - contamination (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - shorted (cause)
  - engine assembly,piston - other (cause)
  - engine assembly,piston - leak (contributing factor)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH AN IRRIGATION PIPE LINE AND FENCE DURING ROLLOUT OF A FORCED LANDING AFTER ENGINE FAILURE. THE ENGINE STOPPED WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS CRUISING EN ROUTE. THE PILOT REMAINED IN RADIO CONTACT THROUGHOUT THE EMERGENCY AND LANDED IN A FIELD OF GRAIN STUBBLE AND NEW CROPS. AN ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED A HOLE IN THE #4 PISTON. THIS HOLE HAD PRESSURIZED THE CRANKCASE FORCING OIL OUT OF THE BREATHER UNTIL OIL DEPLETION CAUSED ENGINE STOPPAGE. ALSO, A TRACE OF CARBON TRACKING WAS FOUND ON THE RIGHT DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK FROM THE #4 LOCATION TO ANOTHER STATIONARY ELECTRODE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97429](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97429), registered now, S/N 25-0512, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20K
- 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: 25-0512
- Airframe hours: 332
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-GB1 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Charles R. Wall, doing business as Hzm Ram Air
- Registered owner: Kenneth E. Smouse
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 21, 1982, 37 hours before
- Departed: SLE, SALEM, OK
- Destination: PSC, PASCO, WA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DLS, The Dalles

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, airline transport; 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: 4,286 total, 7 in this make and model, 4,088 as pilot in command, 170 in the last 90 days, 72 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Observed at: SLE, 100 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 19830124002219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830124002219A), Jan 24, 1983: Mooney M20K, Dufur, OR, Substantial damage. Magneto malfunction caused hole in piston which caused engine failure and forced landing.

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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