Mooney M20J N367MR

Summary

On 17 February 2012 at about 19:55 local time, a Mooney M20J registered N367MR, operated by Krouse Donald E, was involved in an accident near Lewiston, California, 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

17 February 2012 at 19:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Lewiston, California, United States

Nearest airport

Weaverville (KO54)

Coordinates

40.6744, -122.8269

Aircraft

Mooney M20J

Registration

N367MR

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Krouse Donald E

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Weaverville → Redding

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR12LA108

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of improper maintenance.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

As the airplane climbed to an altitude of about 4,000 feet mean sea level after departure, the engine quit and would not restart. The pilot landed the airplane on a 3-lane section of highway; however, as the highway narrowed, the airplane’s left wing struck two road signs and was substantially damaged. On-scene personnel observed oil streaks on the left side of the airplane’s wing and fuselage that appeared to emanate from the engine cowl. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 1 connecting rod bearing had seized and that internal engine damage was consistent with oil starvation. Additionally, examination revealed that a single propeller governor gasket was installed on the engine, whereas the proper gasket configuration was a governor pad plate sandwiched between two gaskets. Maintenance records showed that 10 hours before the accident, maintenance that required the removal and reinstallation of the propeller governor had been performed on the engine. The Mooney service manual does not specify that a 3-piece gasket stack be used when installing the propeller governor; however, the Mooney Illustrated Parts Manual shows a 3-piece gasket stack in place at the propeller governor. Additionally, a Lycoming Service Instruction and a Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin, both of which were issued in 2005, state that a propeller governor pad plate is necessary in this installation to eliminate the possibility of oil leakage between the propeller governor and the accessory housing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.