Mooney M20-C N6715U
11 December 1999 · Reading, Pennsylvania, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 11 December 1999 at about 13:15 local time, a Mooney M20-C registered N6715U was involved in an accident near Reading, Pennsylvania, United States. 3 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.
The record
- Date
- at 13:15
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Reading, Pennsylvania, United States
- Nearest airport
- Reading Regional (RDG)
- Coordinates
- 40.4006, -75.9395
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20-C
- Registration
- N6715U
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC00LA050
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Probable cause
The failure of the number two connecting rod after an improper overhaul by maintenance personnel.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power, and performed a forced landing. Examination of the engine revealed a 1-inch by 6-inch hole, in the engine crankcase adjacent to the number two cylinder, and a fractured number two cylinder connecting rod. Additionally, the crankshaft installed in the engine, required the installation of sludge tubes in the crank-pins. Examination of the crankshaft revealed that the sludge tubes had not been installed. According to a representative of the engine manufacturer, the crankshaft installed in the engine was not approved for use in that model engine. Additionally, the absence of the crankshaft sludge tubes would not allow pressure oil to reach the connecting rod bearings and the connecting rod bearings would only receive splash, vapor and centrifugal force oil. The engine had been operated for about 940 hours since it was overhauled on April 16, 1990 and there were no logbook entries which indicated the crankshaft had been removed or replaced since the overhaul.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Mooney M20 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Jun 1999 | Mooney M20 | France | - | No injuries | - |
| 12 Dec 1999 | Mooney M20-M | Missoula, Montana, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 10 Sep 2000 | Mooney M20 | Owasso, Oklahoma, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 15 Nov 1997 | Mooney M20 | Big Bear, California, United States | John A. Marshall | Fatal | 2 |
| 13 Dec 1997 | Mooney M20 | Pocahontas, Arkansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 20 Jun 2002 | Mooney M20 | Hagerstown, Maryland, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May 1999 | Cessna 305A | Hilltown, Pennsylvania, United States | - | Fatal | 3 |
| 12 Sep 1999 | Beechcraft A23 | Carlisle, Pennsylvania, United States | Joseph T. Gembusia | No injuries | - |
| 8 Aug 1999 | Piper PA28R-180 | Seven Springs, Pennsylvania, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 15 Jan 1999 | Douglas DC-9 | Plainfield, Pennsylvania, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 28 Mar 1999 | Cessna 177RG | Pottstown, Pennsylvania, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 27 Jan 1999 | Grove AIR COMMAND | Centre Hall, Pennsylvania, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |