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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

May 11, 1988 · Mooney M-20J · N567MM

Yorktown, VA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 11, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Yorktown, VA
Aircraft
Mooney M-20J
Tail Number
N567MM
Operator
Thomas a Gurkin
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO88LA045

THE PLT WAS RETURNING TO THE ARPT AFTER A 20 MINUTE LOCAL FLIGHT. ABOUT 5 MILES FROM THE ARPT HE NOTICED THE OIL PRES/TEMP GAGES INDICATED ZERO EVEN AFTER HE CHECKED THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS-SHORTLY AFTERWARD THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND VIBRATE SEVERELY. THE PLT SHUT THE ENG DOWN AND LANDED IN A FIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THERE WAS OIL LEAKAGE THROUGH A SPLIT IN THE OIL GASKET LOCATED BETWEEN THE OIL FILTER CONVERTER PLATE AND ITS MOUNTING FLANGE. THERE WAS FAILURE OF THE CYL NO. 4 CONNECTING ROD BEARING BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF LUBRICATION.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS RETURNING TO THE ARPT AFTER A 20 MINUTE LOCAL FLIGHT. ABOUT 5 MILES FROM THE ARPT HE NOTICED THE OIL PRES/TEMP GAGES INDICATED ZERO EVEN AFTER HE CHECKED THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS-SHORTLY AFTERWARD THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND VIBRATE SEVERELY. THE PLT SHUT THE ENG DOWN AND LANDED IN A FIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THERE WAS OIL LEAKAGE THROUGH A SPLIT IN THE OIL GASKET LOCATED BETWEEN THE OIL FILTER CONVERTER PLATE AND ITS MOUNTING FLANGE. THERE WAS FAILURE OF THE CYL NO. 4 CONNECTING ROD BEARING BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF LUBRICATION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:57 EDT
Nearest AirportPatrick Henry Intl (0nm N)
Runway20
Runway Length6526 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M-20J
Tail NumberN567MM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorThomas a Gurkin
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A3B6D · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data