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NTSB Report
December 30, 1988 · Mooney M20F · N6969V
Perdido, AL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 30, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Perdido, AL
Aircraft
Mooney M20F
Tail Number
N6969V
Operator
Thomas W Mitchell
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL89LA064
WHILE DESCENDING TO 6000 FEET THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL SUPPLY. THE WINDSCREEN WAS COVERED WITH OIL AND THE PILOT HAD TO USE THE SIDE WINDOW TO GAIN FORWARD VISIBILITY. AFTER COMPLETING THE EMERGENCY LANDING CHECK THE ENGINE SEIZED. AN EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS SELECTED. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE ABOUT 10 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED ABOUT 200 FEET BEFORE COMING TO A STOP IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THE POST CRASH EXAMINATION INDICATED THAT THE PROPELLER ASSEMBLY HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE PROPELLER SHAFT. THE FRACTURE ANALYSIS OF THE BOLTS DISCLOSED THAT FOUR BOLTS FAILED IN FATIGUE. THE PROPELLER WAS OVERHAULED ABOUT 12 HOURS BEFORE THE MISHAP. THE OVERHAUL FACILITY REUSED THE OLD BOLTS AFTER MAGNA-FLUX AND PLATING. THE INSTALLATION TORQUE WAS NOT DETERMINED.
Full Narrative
WHILE DESCENDING TO 6000 FEET THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL SUPPLY. THE WINDSCREEN WAS COVERED WITH OIL AND THE PILOT HAD TO USE THE SIDE WINDOW TO GAIN FORWARD VISIBILITY. AFTER COMPLETING THE EMERGENCY LANDING CHECK THE ENGINE SEIZED. AN EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS SELECTED. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE ABOUT 10 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED ABOUT 200 FEET BEFORE COMING TO A STOP IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THE POST CRASH EXAMINATION INDICATED THAT THE PROPELLER ASSEMBLY HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE PROPELLER SHAFT. THE FRACTURE ANALYSIS OF THE BOLTS DISCLOSED THAT FOUR BOLTS FAILED IN FATIGUE. THE PROPELLER WAS OVERHAULED ABOUT 12 HOURS BEFORE THE MISHAP. THE OVERHAUL FACILITY REUSED THE OLD BOLTS AFTER MAGNA-FLUX AND PLATING. THE INSTALLATION TORQUE WAS NOT DETERMINED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMooney M20F
Tail NumberN6969V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorThomas W Mitchell
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · I0-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter0
Observation Time20:30
Weather SourceWFAC