Mooney M20C N7853V

Summary

On 9 May 1997 at about 21:19 local time, a Mooney M20C registered N7853V was involved in an accident near Torreon, New Mexico, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 May 1997 at 21:19

Classification

Accident

Location

Torreon, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

34.7194, -106.2907

Aircraft

Mooney M20C

Registration

N7853V

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Albuquerque → Farmingtion

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW97LA185

1 person had minor injuries.

failure of the forward number four piston pin plug, and the subsequent obstruction of internal oil passages of the lubricating system, which resulted in partial loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident were: the crosswind condition and lack of suitable terrain for an emergency (precautionary) landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

While in cruise flight at 8,500 feet msl, the pilot reported that he observed his oil pressure gauge 'indicating at or near zero.' He stated that he called ATC and began looking for a place to land. He then noticed that the 'oil temperature had begun to rise and the engine was running slightly rougher.' As he approached a highway on which he planned to land, 'the prop governor ceased to regulate the engine RPM and the engine begain to smell really hot.' On landing roll, the pilot stated that 'a gust of wind caused me to depart the left side of the road and the airplane subsequently impacted several sandy knolls.' Postimpact examination of the engine revealed an aluminum ball in the number four cylinder forward piston pin bore. Investigators stated that 'this was the result of the piston pin plug working in the bore for an extended period of time.' This would account for metal particles throughout the oil system and a rub mark on the interior of the cylinder wall. The oil journal leading to the number two cylinder was found with metal particles emanating from it and the number two and number three connecting rod bearings showed significant damage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.