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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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September 15, 1985 · Mooney M20K · N5788U

Rosamond, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 15, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Rosamond, CA
Aircraft
Mooney M20K
Tail Number
N5788U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX85LA391

WHILE ENROUTE TO VAN NUYS ARPT AT ABOUT 9500 FT, THE PLT REPORTED TO EDWARDS AFB APCH CONTROL THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING A ROUGH RUNNING ENG. THE PLT REQUESTED AND RECEIVED A RADAR VECTOR TO WM J. FOX ARPT, LANCASTER, CA. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ENG SUSTAINED A TOTAL PWR LOSS. THE PLT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY NEAR ROSAMOND ARPT. THE ENG EXAMINATION DISCLOSED A 'DRILL BIT' REMNANT LODGED IN HE OIL PUMP CAUSING IT TO SIEZE. THE ENG SUSTAINED EXTREME HIGH TEMP DISTRESS FOLLOWED BY SEPARATION OF THE CON ROD. A 100-HOUR INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED ON THE ACFT WITHIN 80 HOURS PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT. THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT HE COULD NOT REMEMBER IF HE HAD INSPECTED THE SCAVENGE PUMP OIL SCREEN DURING THE INSPECTION. METALURGICAL EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THE DRILL BIT HAD PENETRATED THE OIL SCREEN AND ENTERED INTO THE OIL PUMP. THE ORIGIN OF THE DRILL BIT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE ENG HAD BEEN DISASSEMBLED 180 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT BY TELEDYNE CONTINENTAL MOTORS

Full Narrative

WHILE ENROUTE TO VAN NUYS ARPT AT ABOUT 9500 FT, THE PLT REPORTED TO EDWARDS AFB APCH CONTROL THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING A ROUGH RUNNING ENG. THE PLT REQUESTED AND RECEIVED A RADAR VECTOR TO WM J. FOX ARPT, LANCASTER, CA. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ENG SUSTAINED A TOTAL PWR LOSS. THE PLT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY NEAR ROSAMOND ARPT. THE ENG EXAMINATION DISCLOSED A 'DRILL BIT' REMNANT LODGED IN HE OIL PUMP CAUSING IT TO SIEZE. THE ENG SUSTAINED EXTREME HIGH TEMP DISTRESS FOLLOWED BY SEPARATION OF THE CON ROD. A 100-HOUR INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED ON THE ACFT WITHIN 80 HOURS PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT. THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT HE COULD NOT REMEMBER IF HE HAD INSPECTED THE SCAVENGE PUMP OIL SCREEN DURING THE INSPECTION. METALURGICAL EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THE DRILL BIT HAD PENETRATED THE OIL SCREEN AND ENTERED INTO THE OIL PUMP. THE ORIGIN OF THE DRILL BIT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE ENG HAD BEEN DISASSEMBLED 180 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT BY TELEDYNE CONTINENTAL MOTORS

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:05 PDT
Nearest AirportROSAMOND (0nm S)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20K
Tail NumberN5788U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-LB · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 25 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data