# NTSB WPR16LA074: Mooney M20J, N201KY, Pacoima, CA, February 22, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 22, 2016, 13:34 local (21:34 UTC) - Place: Pacoima, CA - Coordinates: 34.254722, -118.408607 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2547&lon=-118.4086&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92755 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR16LA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92755/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92755 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA074 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions 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) - [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. - [Initial climb: 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) - [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 About 3 minutes after takeoff, the engine started to run roughly. The private pilot contacted the tower controller and advised that he was turning back to the runway. While on short final, he pulled back on the power, and the engine lost total power. The pilot was able to restart the engine, but it again lost total power. The airplane was unable to reach the runway, and the pilot subsequently initiated a forced landing to a street, during which, the airplane struck a moving car and numerous parked vehicles. A postaccident engine test run did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On February 22, 2016, at 1334 Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20J, N201KY, experienced a loss of engine power after takeoff and the pilot made a forced landing onto a city street near Whiteman Airport (WHP), Pacoima, California. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the accident sequence. The local personal flight departed Pacoima about 1330. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that about three minutes after takeoff the engine started to run rough. He contacted the tower controller and advised that he was turning back. While on short final, he pulled back on the power and the engine lost power. The pilot was able to re-start the engine but it again lost power. The pilot was unable to make it to the runway and subsequently initiated a forced landing to a city street. During the landing, the airplane struck a moving car and numerous parked vehicles; substantially damaging both wings and the fuselage. The airplane was recovered to a secured facility for a postaccident engine examination. The engine was visually examined and determined that an engine run was possible. The engine was subsequently mounted onto an engine test stand. No modifications were accomplished except to add oil which had leaked out during storage. The engine started and was run at 2,700 rpm and 28 inches of manifold pressure. A magneto check was accomplished which recorded a 50 rpm drop. When the rpm was reduced to 1,200 rpm, it was noted that the engine ran lean. A review of the maintenance logbooks revealed a discrepancy as to when the last annual/100 hour inspection was accomplished. An entry dated 6/15/15 identified a recoding tach time and total time in service of 2,052 hours. A sticker had been applied to the page indicating "Remove plugs check compression. Removed injectors and cleaned and inspected IAW 100 hr and was determined to be in an airworthy condition." There was no mechanics signature, certificate number and Inspection Authorization identified for return to service. A previous hand written entry dated 2/1/13, indicated that the engine had been inspected in accordance with a 100 hour inspection and was determined to be in an airworthy condition. This entry revealed the appropriate mechanic signature and certificate number. The mechanic reported that he did not inspect the engine on 6/15/15. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N201KY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N201KY-2018-03-20), registration cancelled 2018-03-20, S/N 24-0462, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J (NO SERIES) - 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: 24-0462 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 2052 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2013 - Departed: WHP, Pacoima, CA - Destination: WHP, Pacoima, CA - Airport: WHP, Whiteman, runway 30, 4,120 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 25, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 952 total, 176 in this make and model, 952 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 14 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KWHP ## 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 20160222006449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160222006449A), Feb 22, 2016: Mooney M20J, Pacoima, CA, Destroyed. On 02/22/2016, at approximately 1334, N201KY, a Mooney M20J, departed Whiteman Airport, kwhp, Pacoima, CA, headed north. Within three minutes from departure,… ## Other investigations on N201KY (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 LAX78IA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78IA065), Jul 31, 1978: Mooney M20J (N201KY), Tucson, AZ, incident, no damage ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 4, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92755. 7.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459104&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Written Statement (item 2, .PDF, 518 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459105&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Written%20Statement-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 348 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459106&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Emailed Statement of Mechanic (item 4, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459107&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Emailed%20Statement%20of%20Mechanic-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement of Investigation (item 5, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459108&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20of%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Airframe & Engine Examination Report (item 6, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459109&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airframe%20%26%20Engine%20Examination%20Report-Master.PDF - Aircraft Logbook (item 7, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459110&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Logbook-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 8, .PDF, 206 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459111&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - Video of Engine Run #1 (Shelf Item) (item 9, .PDF, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459137&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Video%20of%20Engine%20Run%20%231%20(Shelf%20Item)-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.