Mooney M20D N6619U

Summary

On 24 August 2003 at about 18:27 local time, a Mooney M20D registered N6619U was involved in an accident near Hood River, Oregon, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 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

24 August 2003 at 18:27

Classification

Accident

Location

Hood River, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Hood River (4S2)

Coordinates

45.6697, -121.5592

Aircraft

Mooney M20D

Registration

N6619U

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hood River → Eugene

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA03LA176

4 people had minor injuries.

A power loss due to a mis-seated intake valve on the #1 cylinder resulting in leakage during the compression stroke and low compression. Contributing factors were the rising terrain and trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot's father (right seat), a commercial pilot with more than 2,000 hours in the accident aircraft, reported that the engine ran smoothly on the ground and an RPM check prior to takeoff yielded 2600 RPM. The takeoff roll on the 3,040-foot long asphalt runway seemed long with less than normal power to the flying pilot (left seat). The aircraft was rotated at 65 knots but settled back to the runway at which time the right seat pilot took control and established a shallow climb rate toward the rising terrain west of the airport. Both pilots felt that an aborted takeoff would result in an overrun into a grassy area containing vehicles and pedestrians. The flying pilot (right seat) then banked to avoid a large tree and the aircraft settled into the treetops eventually coming to rest inverted in a bog. Post-crash examination and test run of the engine revealed that the number one cylinder could develop no more than 25-35 pounds of compression. Further examination revealed the number one cylinder intake seat had dropped down out of its normally seated position at an angle preventing the valve from seating evenly during the compression stroke.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.