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NTSB Report
October 3, 1990 · Mooney M20K · N231AX
Flagstaff, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 3, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Flagstaff, AZ
Aircraft
Mooney M20K
Tail Number
N231AX
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX91FA001
THE PILOT HAD RETURNED FROM AN EARLIER DEPARTURE BECAUSE HE HAD SMOKE INSIDE THE AIRPLANE, AND REQUESTED THE ASSISTANCE OF A MECHANIC. UNABLE TO OBTAIN THIS ASSISTANCE, HE BORROWED A PAIR OF PLIERS FROM THE FBO. AFTER INSPECTING THE AIRPLANE HIMSELF, HE RETURNED THE PLIERS AND COMMENTED SOMETHING ABOUT THE EGT PROBE TO THE LINE PERSON ON DUTY. SOON AFTER THE SECOND DEPARTURE, THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN RETURNING TOWARDS THE AIRPORT TRAILING SMOKE AND POSSIBLY FIRE. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED INVERTED AND DESCENDED INTO TREES. THE AIRPORT MANAGER RESPONDING TO THE ACCIDENT SCENE LOCATED THE EXHAUST TAILPIPE. THE FRACTURED TURBO CLAMP WAS LOCATED AT THE WRECKAGE. METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS REVEALED THAT CRACKING OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF INTERGRANULAR CORROSION. ON 9/26/90 THE TURBOCHARGER WAS REMOVED, REPAIRED AND REINSTALLED.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S DECISION TO OPERATE THE AIRCRAFT WITH A KNOWN DISCREPANCY; INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES; AND THE PILOT'S INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO SMOKE AND FUMES IN THE COCKPIT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT HAD RETURNED FROM AN EARLIER DEPARTURE BECAUSE HE HAD SMOKE INSIDE THE AIRPLANE, AND REQUESTED THE ASSISTANCE OF A MECHANIC. UNABLE TO OBTAIN THIS ASSISTANCE, HE BORROWED A PAIR OF PLIERS FROM THE FBO. AFTER INSPECTING THE AIRPLANE HIMSELF, HE RETURNED THE PLIERS AND COMMENTED SOMETHING ABOUT THE EGT PROBE TO THE LINE PERSON ON DUTY. SOON AFTER THE SECOND DEPARTURE, THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN RETURNING TOWARDS THE AIRPORT TRAILING SMOKE AND POSSIBLY FIRE. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED INVERTED AND DESCENDED INTO TREES. THE AIRPORT MANAGER RESPONDING TO THE ACCIDENT SCENE LOCATED THE EXHAUST TAILPIPE. THE FRACTURED TURBO CLAMP WAS LOCATED AT THE WRECKAGE. METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS REVEALED THAT CRACKING OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF INTERGRANULAR CORROSION. ON 9/26/90 THE TURBOCHARGER WAS REMOVED, REPAIRED AND REINSTALLED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:46 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionIflt
Aircraft
AircraftMooney M20K
Tail NumberN231AX
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-GB · Reciprocating · 210
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 8 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC