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NTSB Report
October 9, 1987 · Mooney M-20-J · N57257
Kerrville, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 9, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Kerrville, TX
Aircraft
Mooney M-20-J
Tail Number
N57257
Operator
Lawrence W Moulton
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW88LA002
ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH A ROAD SIGN AND THE GRND DURING AN OFF ARPT EMERGENCY LNDG FOLLOWING A COMPLETE ENG FAILURE DURING DESCENT. PLT STATED THAT ABOUT 20 MINS OUT FROM HIS DEST, THE OIL PRESS DECREASED INTO THE YELLOW ARC, BUT OIL TEMP AND CYL HEAD TEMP REMAINED NORMAL. DURING THE DESCENT, OIL PRESS DECREASED INTO THE RED AND THE ENG STARTED VIBRATING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ENG SEIZED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE #4 PISTON CONNECTING ROD HAD SEPARATED DUE TO OIL STARVATION, RESULTING IN SEVERE INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENG. TWO QTS OF HEAVY, BLACK OIL WERE DRAINED FRM THE ENG. THE CAUSE OF THE OIL STARVATION WAS NOT DETERMINED DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THE PLTS STATED THAT THEY HAD DEPARTED 4.5 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACDT WITH SLIGHTLY OVER 5 QTS OF OIL IN THE ENG. ENG HAD BEEN OPERATED A TOTAL OF 320 HRS.
Full Narrative
ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH A ROAD SIGN AND THE GRND DURING AN OFF ARPT EMERGENCY LNDG FOLLOWING A COMPLETE ENG FAILURE DURING DESCENT. PLT STATED THAT ABOUT 20 MINS OUT FROM HIS DEST, THE OIL PRESS DECREASED INTO THE YELLOW ARC, BUT OIL TEMP AND CYL HEAD TEMP REMAINED NORMAL. DURING THE DESCENT, OIL PRESS DECREASED INTO THE RED AND THE ENG STARTED VIBRATING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ENG SEIZED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE #4 PISTON CONNECTING ROD HAD SEPARATED DUE TO OIL STARVATION, RESULTING IN SEVERE INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENG. TWO QTS OF HEAVY, BLACK OIL WERE DRAINED FRM THE ENG. THE CAUSE OF THE OIL STARVATION WAS NOT DETERMINED DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THE PLTS STATED THAT THEY HAD DEPARTED 4.5 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACDT WITH SLIGHTLY OVER 5 QTS OF OIL IN THE ENG. ENG HAD BEEN OPERATED A TOTAL OF 320 HRS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:25 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMooney M-20-J
Tail NumberN57257
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLawrence W Moulton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 7 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:55
Weather SourceWFAC