Mooney M20K N1147D

Summary

On 16 February 2005 at about 18:30 local time, a Mooney M20K registered N1147D, operated by Albert G. Satterla, was involved in an accident near Roseburg, Oregon, United States. 3 people were 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

16 February 2005 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Roseburg, Oregon, United States

Coordinates

43.3558, -123.3706

Aircraft

Mooney M20K

Registration

N1147D

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Albert G. Satterla

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Roseburg → Lewiston

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA05LA049

Nobody was injured.

A fractured piston pin that resulted in a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing. Factors include rough/uneven mountainous terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, while in a climb configuration, the airplane's engine began to lose manifold pressure and engine RPM. Concurrent with the loss of engine power, the pilot noted a loss of oil pressure and elected to land the airplane, off-airport, in a wooded area. Post accident examination of the engine revealed that the distal end of the number 5 piston pin was fractured. Further examination revealed that the inner aluminum piston pin insert fractured-off just inboard of where the pin begins to taper outward. The fracture face was flat and perpendicular to the outer surface of the steel housing. Both fracture surfaces (inner and outer) sustained extensive smearing type damage and metal loss so significant that an analysis of the fracture surfaces could not be completed. Heavy scoring was noted to the wall of the number five cylinder assembly and piston. Extensive mechanical damage was observed to the relief area of the piston. The bottom piston ring was seized in place. Removal and examination of the oil sump revealed that the sump contained oil, as well as a large amount of metallic type particles. The oil pickup tube and screen was intact and also contained a significant amount of metallic like particles similar to the material found in the oil sump. The amount of metallic particles in the pickup tube and screen was sufficient enough to restrict the oil flow passage. The metallic particles were non-magnetic.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.