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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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November 15, 1987 · Mooney M20C · N6670R

Grand Canyon, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 15, 1987
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Grand Canyon, AZ
Aircraft
Mooney M20C
Tail Number
N6670R
Operator
Renato & Glenda Ricci
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88FA042

WHILE CRUISING EN ROUTE ALL ENGINE POWER WAS SUDDENLY LOST AND THE PLT ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LDG AT THE GRAND CANYON ARPT. DURING THE GLIDE, THE ACFT CRASHED INTO AN OUTCROP OF ROCKS ON A STEEP CLIFF, 0.5 MI FROM THE END OF THE RWY. EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE #3 CONNECTING ROD BOLT NUTS HAD BACKED OFF THE BOLT, AND OTHER NUT HAD BEEN PARTIALLY STRIPPED OFF ITS BOLT. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN OPERATED FOR 212 HRS SMOH. LAB EXAM OF THE BOLT/NUT INTERFACE INDICATED THAT THE NUTS HAD BEEN UNDERTORQUED WHEN THEY WERE LAST INSTALLED.

Full Narrative

WHILE CRUISING EN ROUTE ALL ENGINE POWER WAS SUDDENLY LOST AND THE PLT ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LDG AT THE GRAND CANYON ARPT. DURING THE GLIDE, THE ACFT CRASHED INTO AN OUTCROP OF ROCKS ON A STEEP CLIFF, 0.5 MI FROM THE END OF THE RWY. EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE #3 CONNECTING ROD BOLT NUTS HAD BACKED OFF THE BOLT, AND OTHER NUT HAD BEEN PARTIALLY STRIPPED OFF ITS BOLT. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN OPERATED FOR 212 HRS SMOH. LAB EXAM OF THE BOLT/NUT INTERFACE INDICATED THAT THE NUTS HAD BEEN UNDERTORQUED WHEN THEY WERE LAST INSTALLED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:27 MST
Nearest AirportGrand Canyon Natl Park (0nm N)
Runway3
Runway Length8999 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20C
Tail NumberN6670R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRenato & Glenda Ricci
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 6 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 18 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:26
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data