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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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November 4, 1988 · Mooney M20J · N3875H

San Diego, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 4, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
San Diego, CA
Aircraft
Mooney M20J
Tail Number
N3875H
Operator
Flyers
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX89LA040

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER. A TURN WAS MADE TO LAND ON RWY 10R, BUT THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE LANDING AREA. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE MADE A WHEELS-UP LANDING SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. AN INSPECTIONOF THE ENGINE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF DETONATION OR PREIGNITION IN THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER. ANOTHER PILOT, WHO HAD FLOWN THE AIRPLANE ON THE PREVIOUS FLIGHT, SAID THAT WHEN HE WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT FROM A LONG FLIGHT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THE OIL TEMP AND CYLINDER HEAD TEMP ROSE ABOVE THE RED LINE. AFTER LANDING, HE NOTIFIED THE OPERATOR. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT A NEW SET OF SPARK PLUGS WERE INSTALLED AFTER THAT FLIGHT AND THE ENGINE RAN FINE.

Full Narrative

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER. A TURN WAS MADE TO LAND ON RWY 10R, BUT THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE LANDING AREA. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE MADE A WHEELS-UP LANDING SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. AN INSPECTIONOF THE ENGINE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF DETONATION OR PREIGNITION IN THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER. ANOTHER PILOT, WHO HAD FLOWN THE AIRPLANE ON THE PREVIOUS FLIGHT, SAID THAT WHEN HE WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT FROM A LONG FLIGHT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THE OIL TEMP AND CYLINDER HEAD TEMP ROSE ABOVE THE RED LINE. AFTER LANDING, HE NOTIFIED THE OPERATOR. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT A NEW SET OF SPARK PLUGS WERE INSTALLED AFTER THAT FLIGHT AND THE ENGINE RAN FINE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 PST
Nearest AirportMontgomery Field (0nm N)
Runway28R
Runway Length3400 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20J
Tail NumberN3875H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFlyers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A3B6D · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 7 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:46
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data