# NTSB WPR12LA382: Mooney M20J, N132PC, Chelan, WA, August 31, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 31, 2012, 10:50 local (17:50 UTC) - Place: Chelan, WA - Coordinates: 47.934165, -119.878051 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9342&lon=-119.8781&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84880 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12LA382 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84880/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84880 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA382 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power during climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified; cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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 The pilot reported that, after departure and during the climb, the engine suddenly stopped producing power. During the forced landing to a paved road, the right wing tip struck a pole and was substantially damaged. Fuel was found onboard the airplane. A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On August 31, 2012, about 1050 Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N132PC, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Chelan, Washington. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal local flight, which had originated from Chelan about 20 minutes before the accident. A flight plan had not been filed. The pilot reported that, after departure, he climbed to about 5,000 feet when the airplane's engine suddenly stopped producing power. He performed a forced landing to a road, and the airplane's right wing impacted a power pole during the gear-up landing. The right wing's outer 4 feet was substantially damaged and nearly separated from the wing. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, and an airframe and power plant mechanic, revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N132PC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N132PC), registered now, S/N 24-0541, built 1978 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-0541 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 3140 - Engines: LYCOMING IO360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Harshman Max M - Registered owner: Harshman Max M - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 2012 - Departed: S10, Chelan, WA - Destination: S10, Chelan, WA - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 460 total, 80 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: EAT, 35 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 20120831019039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120831019039A), Aug 31, 2012: Mooney M20J, Chelan, WA, Substantial damage. The commercial rated pilot took off from Lake Chelan Airport (S10) during a personal pleasure flight and climbed to 4,500 feet. After several minutes, he… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 8, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84880. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 765 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411050&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 346 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411051&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=%20Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Mechanic Post Examination (item 3, .PDF, 244 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411052&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Mechanic%20Post%20Examination-Master.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.