Mooney M20E N2695W

Summary

On 5 November 2004 at about 21:30 local time, a Mooney M20E registered N2695W was involved in an accident near Santa Rosa, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 November 2004 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Santa Rosa, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Off Airport (NONE)

Coordinates

34.9336, -104.6433

Aircraft

Mooney M20E

Registration

N2695W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Miami → Tucumcari

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dawn

NTSB number

DEN05CA020

Nobody was injured.

Inadequate maintenance inspection which failed to detect the separation of the right P-lead, resulting in a loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While preparing to depart, the pilot stated that the airplane's "battery seemed weak" and noted that the ammeter was not charging or discharging. The pilot had the battery charged for 1/2 hour and elected to fly to another airport to have a mechanic examine the airplane. While en route, he noticed "the engine was running rough." The pilot checked both magnetos and noted the left magneto selection resulted in a rough engine. The fuel pressure was also low; however, the pilot felt he would be okay until arriving at his destination. The pilot stated that both magnetos began to run rough. He was unable to maintain altitude and landed on a highway. While maneuvering the airplane to avoid oncoming traffic, the airplane struck a road sign causing substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed that the P-lead had broken off of the right magneto. The P-lead had been rubbing against a bracket aft of the P-lead, prior to its failure. FAA inspector who examined the airplane stated that an annual inspection should have discovered this situation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.