Mooney M20J N174JB

Summary

On 28 June 2012 at about 16:47 local time, a Mooney M20J registered N174JB was involved in an accident near Mc Kinnon, Tennessee, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one 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

28 June 2012 at 16:47

Classification

Accident

Location

Mc Kinnon, Tennessee, United States

Nearest airport

Houston County Airport (M93)

Coordinates

36.3167, -87.9167

Aircraft

Mooney M20J

Registration

N174JB

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gallatin → Mc Kinnon

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA12LA422

1 person was seriously injured.

The separation of the piston connecting rod from the crankshaft due to inadequate installation from a mechanic, resulting in a total loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting a formation flight when the airplane’s engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot and his instructor then conducted a forced landing to a runway and landed long, with the airplane departing the surface and coming to rest in a field. Post accident examination revealed that the number three piston connecting rod cap separated from the piston connecting rod when the hardware came loose and the connecting rod disconnected during flight. Maintenance records showed that the engine had been overhauled several years prior to the accident. It is likely that the mechanic did not properly install the connecting rod bolts and nuts, which resulted in the number three piston connecting rod disconnecting during flight, and subsequent loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.