Mooney M20C N557M

Summary

On 26 August 2012 at about 21:36 local time, a Mooney M20C registered N557M, operated by Bochter Steven R, was involved in an accident near East Hampton, New York, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 August 2012 at 21:36

Classification

Accident

Location

East Hampton, New York, United States

Nearest airport

East Hampton Airport (HTO)

Coordinates

40.9594, -72.2517

Aircraft

Mooney M20C

Registration

N557M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Bochter Steven R

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

East Hampton → Tauton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA12LA532

2 people were seriously injured.

A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that after takeoff, he retracted the landing gear and flaps and that the engine rpm decreased from 2,750 rpm to 2,400 rpm. He verified that the carburetor heat was off and that the throttle, propeller, and mixture controls were full forward. He declared an emergency with the control tower controller and turned left in an attempt to land on a closed runway. During the turn, "the engine became quiet," and the airplane collided with trees. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine showed no evidence of precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. Review of the FAA carburetor icing probability chart showed that conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to light carburetor icing at cruise and glide power; however, the airplane was operating at a higher power setting. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.