# NTSB WPR15LA180: Mooney M20C, N7887V, Reno, NV, June 8, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 8, 2015, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.679164, -119.866668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6792&lon=-119.8667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 1, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91329 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15LA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91329/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91329 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA180 ## Probable cause The in-flight separation of the exhaust tube at a weld joint due to erosion and corrosion, which resulted in a subsequent in-flight fire. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine exhaust](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057800): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057800/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057800/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airline transport pilot reported that, while on the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern, he noticed smoke in the cockpit. The pilot-rated passenger then took control of the airplane and initiated a forced landing. As the pilot and his passenger exited the airplane, they observed flames originating from the lower cowling area near the air intake. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that the tube from the turbocharger wastegate to the exhaust was separated into two pieces along a weld joint at the exhaust side of the tube. Corrosion and erosion were noted throughout the areas of the separated exhaust tubes, which included thinning of the wall thickness. In addition, a heavy amount of oil was observed in the area surrounding the tube. It is likely that when the tube failed at the weld joint, it allowed hot exhaust gases to escape from the exhaust and turbocharger that subsequently ignited an in-flight fire. ## Factual narrative On June 8, 2015, about 1600 Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N7887V, was destroyed during an off-airport landing following an in-flight fire while in the airport traffic pattern at the Reno-Stead Airport (RTS), Reno, Nevada. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airline transport pilot and the airline transport pilot rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The local flight originated from RTS about 1 hour prior to the accident.The pilot reported that they departed Runway 8, performed a series of touch and go takeoff and landings, which included three go-arounds. While on downwind for the fourth landing, they noticed smoke inside the cockpit. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a dirt road about 1-mile north of the airport. When the pilot and passenger exited the airplane, they observed flames originating from the lower cowling area near the air intake. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the fuselage and inboard portion of both wings were mostly consumed by fire. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination. Examination of the recovered wreckage on July 29, 2015, revealed that it was mostly consumed by fire. The engine remained attached to the engine mounts. All fuel lines and oil lines appeared to be intact and secured to their respective fittings with the exception of the number two oil return line from the rocker box to the crankcase. The oil line was found disconnected from the rubber sleeve and clamped at the crankcase. In addition, the tube from the turbocharger waste gate to the exhaust was separated into two pieces throughout the entire area of a weld seam at the exhaust side of the tube. A heavy amount of oil residue was observed within the area that surrounded the separated tube. A portion of the separated exhaust was removed, and sent to the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory for further examination. Further examination of the two portions of the exhaust tubing revealed that both portions of the exhaust manifold internal and external surfaces exhibited an oxidized appearance. Both halves of the separation between the two portions exhibited similar levels of oxidation. Neither one of the two portions exhibited any deformations or dents. The clamp assembly appeared oxidized but did not exhibit any damage. Examination of portion number one, which contained the remaining weld bead, revealed that an approximate 2-inch crack had formed between portion number one and the bead. The base material in the vicinity of the crack was oxidized and appeared to have been eroded. Examination of portion number two revealed thinning of the tube wall near the area of separation. Wall thickness measurements on the opposite side of the separation area indicated athickness of approximately 0.042 inch, while wall thickness measurements near the separation were as low as 0.021 inch. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7887V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7887V-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N 2849, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2849 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 2652.4 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 2015, 3 hours before - Departed: RTS, Reno, NV - Destination: RTS, Reno, NV - Airport: RTS, Reno/Stead, runway 08, 7,608 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 23,000 total, 30 in this make and model, 22,500 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KRTS, 1 nm away ## Other investigations on N7887V (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 LAX69F0090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69F0090), Aug 13, 1968: Mooney M20C (N7887V), Santa Monica, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 14, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91329. 1.9 MB in all. - Materials Laboratory Factual Report (item 1, .PDF, 8 photos, 644 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449901&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 599 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458910&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Wreckage Examination Memo (item 3, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449903&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Examination%20Memo-Master.PDF - Photos (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 669 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449904&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.