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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

June 30, 1993 · Mooney M20J · N3740H

Spring, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 30, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Spring, TX
Aircraft
Mooney M20J
Tail Number
N3740H
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW93LA201

WHILE ON CLIMBOUT FROM THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT REPORTED TO THE TOWER THAT HE HAD AN ENGINE PROBLEM AND HE WAS IMMEDIATELY CLEARED TO LAND. THE PILOT OVERSHOT THE RUNWAY AND AS HE APPROACHED THE DEPARTURE END, HE ESTABLISHED A VERY HIGH CLIMB ANGLE IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR POWERLINES AND TREES. CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED IN HEAVILY WOODED AREA IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. AN ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED CORROSION AND CORROSION PITTING THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR OF THE ENGINE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPERLY PLANNED APPROACH AND THE RESULTANT OVERSHOOT OF THE INTENDED LANDING AREA. FACTORS WERE THE PARTIAL POWER LOSS DUE TO INTERNAL CORROSION, AND THE INADVERTENT STALL.

Full Narrative

On June 30, 1993, at 1845 central daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N3740H, was substantially damaged following a forced landing due to the partial loss of power during climbout near Spring, Texas. The private pilot/owner of the airplane sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. According to the David Wayne Hooks Airport tower operator, the airplane departed Runway 17R at 1842 and turned westbound. The pilot contacted the tower during the climb and requested to return to the airport because he had engine problems. The tower immediately cleared him to land on Runway 35L. The airplane was observed high on final approach. At the midfield point he was still fast and 10 feet off the runway. Near the departure end of the runway, the airplane was observed establishing a very high climb angle to clear powerlines and trees. Control was lost and the airplane impacted in a heavily wooded area in a nose down attitude. An engine disassembly revealed that corrosion and pitting were present throughtout the interior of the engine.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:45 CDT
Nearest AirportDavid Wayne Hooks (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20J
Tail NumberN3740H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A3BC · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 6 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data