Mooney M20J N4560H

Summary

On 23 May 2002 at about 22:35 local time, a Mooney M20J registered N4560H was involved in an accident near Charleston, South Carolina, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

23 May 2002 at 22:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Charleston, South Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Charleston International (CHS)

Coordinates

32.7008, -80.0028

Aircraft

Mooney M20J

Registration

N4560H

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Charleston AFB → Charleston

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

ATL02LA103

2 people had minor injuries.

Total loss of engine power due to oil system starvation. A factor was the transmission wire encountered during emergency descent.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During climb through 3300 feet mean sea level, the engine lost power. During emergency landing on a road, the airplane struck a power line, then collided with the ground inverted. The underside of the fuselage and empennage was found heavily coated with and streaming engine oil. Examination of the engine found the number 1 connecting rod detached. The number 2 and 3 connecting rods exhibited heat discoloration and lack of lubrication. Bearing material was extruded, the connection rods were separated, and both were found in multiple pieces. The number 4 connecting rod remained attached, and the bearing showed early signs of heat discoloration and lack of lubrication. The connecting rod separations exhibited overload signatures, and there were no signs of fatigue. Maintenance records indicate an annual inspection was completed on December 14, 2001, at an engine time of 595 hours since major overhaul, and the engine accumulated 70 hours since inspection. The engine received a propeller strike inspection on February 8, 2000, and the engine was disassembled, repaired, and reassembled. The engine time for the propeller strike repairs was not recorded in the maintenance log.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.