# NTSB SEA90LA102: Mooney M20C, N8165E, Troutdale, OR, June 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1990, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Troutdale, OR
- Coordinates: 45.520542, -122.34999 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5205&lon=-122.3500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41211
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41211/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA102

## Probable cause

AN INADEQUATE ANNUAL INSPECTION IN WHICH MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL LEFT AN OBJECT IN THE AREA OF THE CARBURETOR WHICH RESULTED IN AN AIR FLOW BLOCKAGE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - foreign object (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT A NORMAL PREFLIGHT AND RUN-UP WERE PERFORMED PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. WHEN OVER THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY DURING TAKEOFF, HE NOTED THAT THE ALTITUDE WAS LOWER AT THAT POINT THAN NORMAL. THE PILOT MADE A LEFT TURN TO RETURN TO THE RUNWAY WHEN THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER NOTIFIED HIM THAT BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE TURN AND NOTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE OFF THE RUNWAY. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND A FENCE. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT A SHOP RAG WAS AT THE REAR OF THE CARBURETOR AIR BOX AND WEDGED AGAINST THE GUIDE VANES AT THE TOP OF THE BOX WHERE IT ATTACHED TO THE CARBURETOR. THE AIRPLANE HAD UNDERGONE AN ANNUAL INSPECTION APPRX 24 FLIGHT HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8165E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8165E-1997-10-15), registration cancelled 1997-10-15, S/N 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1976
- Airframe hours: 2817
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael C. Dwyre
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 26, 1989, 24 hours before
- Destination: S45, GLENEDEN, OR
- Airport: TTD, Troutdale, runway 25, 5,400 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 379 total, 330 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TTD

## 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 19900618020709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900618020709A), Jun 18, 1990: Mooney M20C, Portland, OR, Substantial damage. Rough engine and black smoke on takeoff then engine quit. Crash landed off airport. A shop towel blocked air intake

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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