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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 21, 1996 · Mooney M20K · N3375X

Islip, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Islip, NY
Aircraft
Mooney M20K
Tail Number
N3375X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC96LA186

The pilot/owner of the airplane and a passenger departed on a local flight. After takeoff from runway 33L, at 200 to 300 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot initiated a left turn back to the airport, and made a wheels-up landing on the approach end of runway 10, heading in a westerly direction. The airplane then slid onto the grass between the taxiway and runway. Examination of the airplane by an FAA Inspector revealed fuel in the airplane's fuel tanks, lines, and filter. Examination of the engine revealed valve train continuity, compression in all cylinders, and spark from the magnetos. The airplane had not been flown for about 1 month, and was refueled just prior to the flight. The pilot was also an FAA certified mechanic. He stated that he had made a log book entry of the airplane's annual inspection and signed it off the evening after the accident, but he could not recall when the inspection was actually completed.

NTSB Probable Cause

loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), which resulted in an emergency/wheels-up landing.

Full Narrative

On September 21, 1996, at 1047 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20K, N3375X, was substantially damaged during a forced after takeoff from the Long Island Mac Arthur Airport (ISP), Islip, New York. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at ISP. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated he had refueled the airplane prior to the flight. After takeoff from runway 33L, during the landing gear retraction, the engine lost power. He then initiated a left turn back to the airport and completed a gear up landing. During an interview with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot stated that the airplane had sat unused for 1 month, and had been refueled with 32.2 gallons of fuel before the takeoff. After takeoff, at 200 to 300 feet above the runway, the engine lost power and the pilot attempted a left turn to land on the taxiway parallel to runway 10. The airplane landed on the approach end of runway 10, heading in a westerly direction, and slid onto the grass between the taxiway and runway. The airplane came to rest on a heading of 230 degrees. On September 23, 1996, the pilot, also an FAA certified mechanic, arrived at the FAA Inspector's Office to present the airplane's maintenance log books for examination. After a review of the maintenance records by the FAA Inspector, the pilot voluntarily surrendered his medical and pilot certificates to the FAA Inspector. He also surrendered his airframe and powerplant mechanic, and inspection authorization certificates. The pilot stated that he had entered the airplane's annual inspection and signed it off the evening after the accident, and that he could not recall when the inspection was actually completed. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA Inspector revealed fuel in the airplane's fuel tanks, lines, and filter. Examination of the engine revealed valve train continuity, compression in all cylinders, and spark from the magnetos.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:47 EDT
Nearest AirportLong Island Mac Arthur (0nm)
Runway33L
Runway Length5186 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20K
Tail NumberN3375X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 69 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 4 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data