# NTSB SEA86LA148: Mooney M20-C, N6263U, Paradise Valley, NV, June 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1986, 07:35 local (14:35 UTC)
- Place: Paradise Valley, NV
- Coordinates: 41.489593, -117.419158 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4896&lon=-117.4192&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): 40424
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40424/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA148

## 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, climb
  - ignition system,spark plug - worn (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE DUE TO A VERY ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE ACCOMPANIED BY BACKFIRING. IT WAS DISCOVERED ON ENGINE EXAMINATION THAT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE WORN BEYOND SERVICE LIMITS. DURING LANDING ROLL A CATTLE GUARD WAS STRUCK WITH THE WING TIPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6263U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6263U-1997-12-06), registration cancelled 1997-12-06, S/N 2102 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20-C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2102
- Airframe hours: 3560
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Byron Hurd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 1985
- Departed: 06U, JACKPOT, NV
- Destination: 052, YUBA CITY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,380 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 3,275 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19860615030689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860615030689A), Jun 15, 1986: Mooney M20C, Paradise Valley, NV, Substantial damage. Spark plugs worn beyond limits resulted in rough running engine and pilot chose to make a precautionary landing.

## Other investigations on N6263U (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 OAK78DVG23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78DVG23), Mar 19, 1978: Mooney M20C (N6263U), Yuba City, CA, 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.