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NTSB Report
February 23, 1985 · Mooney M20D · N5588Q
Punta Gorda, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 23, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Punta Gorda, FL
Aircraft
Mooney M20D
Tail Number
N5588Q
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA85FA101
FLT DEPARTED ON RUNWAY 9 AND A WITNESS REPORTED SEEING THE AIRCRAFT SHORTLY AFTER THIS WITH ITS ENGINE LOSING POWER AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTING TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT, THIS WITNESS THEN LOST SIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ONE QUARTER MILE FROM THE INTERSECTION OF RUNWAYS 21 AND 27 IN A 20 TO 25 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AT A RELATIVELY SLOW SPEED. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED A POST CRASH FIRE HAD DESTROYED THE ENGINE ACCESSORY SECTION, COCKPIT INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND CABIN SECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT. INSPECTION OF THE PROPELLER REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ROTATION AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRECRASH MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION HOWEVER THE CARBURETOR WAS FOUND NOT TO HAVE A GASKET INSTALLED BETWEEN THE TOP AND BOTTOM SECTIONS AND A FIRE HAD OCCURRED WITHIN THE CARBURETOR FUEL BOWL.
Full Narrative
FLT DEPARTED ON RUNWAY 9 AND A WITNESS REPORTED SEEING THE AIRCRAFT SHORTLY AFTER THIS WITH ITS ENGINE LOSING POWER AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTING TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT, THIS WITNESS THEN LOST SIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ONE QUARTER MILE FROM THE INTERSECTION OF RUNWAYS 21 AND 27 IN A 20 TO 25 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AT A RELATIVELY SLOW SPEED. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED A POST CRASH FIRE HAD DESTROYED THE ENGINE ACCESSORY SECTION, COCKPIT INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND CABIN SECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT. INSPECTION OF THE PROPELLER REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ROTATION AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRECRASH MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION HOWEVER THE CARBURETOR WAS FOUND NOT TO HAVE A GASKET INSTALLED BETWEEN THE TOP AND BOTTOM SECTIONS AND A FIRE HAD OCCURRED WITHIN THE CARBURETOR FUEL BOWL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:05 EST
Nearest AirportCharlotte County (1nm E)
Runway9
Runway Length4950 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftMooney M20D
Tail NumberN5588Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 18 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:49
Weather SourceWFAC