# NTSB WPR09LA254: Mooney M20J, N4718H, Healdsburg, CA, May 21, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 2009, 16:55 local (23:55 UTC) - Place: Healdsburg, CA - Coordinates: 38.6525, -122.898612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6525&lon=-122.8986&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73885 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA254 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73885/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73885 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA254 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Prior to departure, the pilot performed an engine run-up and noted that the performance appeared to be normal. During the takeoff ground roll, the pilot reported that the airplane seemed sluggish. Shortly after the airplane lifted off the runway surface, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. The airplane began to buffet and the pilot lowered the nose to prevent a stall. The airplane was losing altitude and he maneuvered it for an off airport landing. After clearing power lines, he made the forced landing in a vineyard adjacent to the airport. During the post accident engine inspection no mechanical anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On May 21, 2009, about 1655 Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N4718H, experienced a loss of engine power after takeoff from runway 13, and made an off airport landing in a vineyard at the Healdsburg Airport (O31), Healdsburg, California. The pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a personal flight. The airplane sustained structural damage during the forced landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was destined for Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport (STS), Santa Rosa, California. According to the pilot, the previous weekend he had noticed that the number two cylinder had been running hotter than normal. He flew the airplane to Healdsburg Airport to have his mechanic inspect the airplane. The pilot reported that the mechanic noted that the fuel injector for the number two cylinder was partially clogged. The pilot stated that he had been finding bits of debris in the fuel sump during fuel checks; the mechanic told him that he would check all the screens and fuel injectors at the next annual inspection in July. The pilot and mechanic performed a ground run up, and noted that the number three cylinder was now running "somewhat warmer [than] the rest, but it came more in line during warm up." The airplane was shut down, and they exited the airplane. The pilot refueled the airplane and then prepared the airplane for takeoff. He started the engine, and performed a run up and magneto check with no discrepancies noted; and no popping noises heard. He powered up for takeoff, and noted that on the takeoff roll the gauges were in the green, but the airplane seemed "sluggish," which the pilot attributed to the full fuel tanks. The pilot stated that the airplane finally achieved rotation speed, but he was past the point of making a successful aborted takeoff. Seconds after the airplane lifted off, he knew something was not right. The airplane was "shaking slightly," and he had almost no power for the climb out. He lowered the airplane's angle of attack, and started to look for places to land. He did not feel that he would be able to make it to Santa Rosa due to the instability of the airplane and lack of power, so he made a gradual right turn back toward the runway. At that point, he looked at the engine analyzer, and saw that the number three cylinder was at the "bottom of the graph." He turned on the boost pump, but there was no effect on the engine. The airplane was losing altitude, and he maneuvered the airplane for an off airport landing. After clearing power lines, he made the forced landing in a vineyard adjacent to the airport. The responding deputy from Sonoma County Sheriff's Department interviewed the mechanic. The mechanic reported that he had performed maintenance on the number two cylinder. He found debris in the cylinder and cleaned it out. He returned the airplane to service; while taxiingto get fuel, he heard a "popping sound," but did not mention it to the pilot. The airplane was fueled, and the pilot dropped the mechanic at his shop. The flight departed shortly thereafter. An inspection of the engine by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator revealed no additional mechanical problems. During the inspection, manual rotation of the crankshaft produced thumb compression in all the cylinders in proper firing order and the accessory gears rotated. The fuel injectors were removed and were clear of debris. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4718H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4718H-2013-01-17), registration cancelled 2013-01-17, S/N 24-0820, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J - Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-0820 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 SER reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: O31, Healdsburg, CA - Destination: STS, Santa Rosa, CA - Airport: O31, Healdsburg Municipal Airport, runway 13, 2,707 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: STS, 10 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 20090521018319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090521018319A), May 21, 2009: Mooney M20J, Healdsburg, CA, Substantial damage. On may 21, 2009, about 1655 PDT, a Mooney M20J, N4718H: experienced a loss of engine power after takeoff from runway 13 and made an off-airport landing in a… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 18, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73885. 731 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 447 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334578&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Sonoma County Sheriff's Department Report (item 2, .PDF, 284 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334579&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Sonoma%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Department%20Report-Redacted.PDF 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.