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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 14, 1994 · Mooney M20E · N6944U

Plymouth, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 14, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Plymouth, MI
Aircraft
Mooney M20E
Tail Number
N6944U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA328

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE NOTED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK IN THE OIL COOLER. HE ISOLATED THE LEAK BY CAPPING THE OIL LINES FROM THE ENGINE TO THE COOLER AND INITIATED A FLIGHT. HE REPORTED THAT AFTER ABOUT TEN MINUTES OF FLIGHT THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED TO ZERO AND HE WAS ATTEMPTING A FORCED LANDING WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER SUFFERED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper (maintenance) modification and his initiating an operation with known deficiencies in equipment

Full Narrative

On September 14, 1994, at 1825 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20E, N6944U, registered to Earl R. Sobeck of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, and operated by a private pilot, struck a fence during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power. The accident occurred in an industrial area about seven miles east- northeast of the intended destination of Canton, Michigan. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Detroit, Michigan, at 1815. The pilot stated that he had made a modification to the accident airplane, which included isolating the oil cooler which was leaking. He accomplished this by capping off the engine fittings to the oil cooler hoses which blocked the lubricating oil between the engine and the oil cooler. He then departed for another airport where he intended to obtain maintenance to repair the leaking oil cooler. He stated that while enroute the engine oil pressure dropped to zero and while he was conducting a forced landing the engine began to run rough and a total power loss soon followed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:25 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20E
Tail NumberN6944U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 7 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingOvercast 8000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data