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NTSB Report
August 24, 1991 · Mooney M20F · N3827N
Meadville, PA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 24, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Meadville, PA
Aircraft
Mooney M20F
Tail Number
N3827N
Operator
James H Flynn
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC91LA219
THE AIRPLANE WAS CRUISING AT NIGHT AT 8000 FEET. THE PILOT SAID '[THERE WAS A] SUDDEN VIOLENT VIBRATION...[I] CHANGED MIXTURE, GAS TANKS, ADJUSTED PROP SETTING...NO CHANGES. PULLED POWER BACK TO REDUCE VIBRATION.' THE PILOT WAS VECTORED TOWARDS THE NEAREST AIRPORT. HE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE THE RUNWAY, BUT BECAUSE OF FOG AND LACK OF ADEQUATE VISIBILITY, HE WAS UNABLE TO DISSIPATE THE EXCESS ALTITUDE AND OVERSHOT THE RUNWAY. THE EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE FAILED BECAUSE OF FATIGUE.
NTSB Probable Cause
ENGINE FAILURE RESULTING FROM THE FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE AND THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING AT NIGHT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE RESTRICTED VISIBILITY.
Full Narrative
THE AIRPLANE WAS CRUISING AT NIGHT AT 8000 FEET. THE PILOT SAID '[THERE WAS A] SUDDEN VIOLENT VIBRATION...[I] CHANGED MIXTURE, GAS TANKS, ADJUSTED PROP SETTING...NO CHANGES. PULLED POWER BACK TO REDUCE VIBRATION.' THE PILOT WAS VECTORED TOWARDS THE NEAREST AIRPORT. HE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE THE RUNWAY, BUT BECAUSE OF FOG AND LACK OF ADEQUATE VISIBILITY, HE WAS UNABLE TO DISSIPATE THE EXCESS ALTITUDE AND OVERSHOT THE RUNWAY. THE EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE FAILED BECAUSE OF FATIGUE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:45 EDT
Nearest AirportMeadville (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length5002 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMooney M20F
Tail NumberN3827N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJames H Flynn
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO360-A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility2 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT