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NTSB Report
October 25, 1985 · Mooney MK21 · N3399X
Warren, AR
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 25, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Warren, AR
Aircraft
Mooney MK21
Tail Number
N3399X
Operator
Earl L Kirkpatrick
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC86LA015
AT CRUISE LEVEL FLT THE PLT RPTD A MALFUNCTIONING ENGINE. THE PLT WAS CLEARED TO DESCEND TO AN AIRPORT IN THE VICINITY. THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS INITIATED DUE TO AN OIL PRESSURE DECLINE. APPROACHING FOR THE LANDING THE PLT RPTD THE ENGINE COMPLETELY QUIT WHICH MADE A LANDINGAT THE AIRPORT IMPOSSIBLE. A TEARDOWN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 1 CONNECTING ROD WAS BROKEN WITH SIGNS OF EXTREME OVER HEATING TO THE POINT OF MELTING AND PERFORMING THE CONNECTING ROD AND CAP. THE ROD BEARING WAS SEVERELY WORN TO A POINT OF BEING PAPER THIN. THE OIL JOURNAL WAS CLOGGED WITH METAL DEBRIS. THE LACK OF LUBRICATION WAS CONFINED TO THIS CYLINDER.
Full Narrative
AT CRUISE LEVEL FLT THE PLT RPTD A MALFUNCTIONING ENGINE. THE PLT WAS CLEARED TO DESCEND TO AN AIRPORT IN THE VICINITY. THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS INITIATED DUE TO AN OIL PRESSURE DECLINE. APPROACHING FOR THE LANDING THE PLT RPTD THE ENGINE COMPLETELY QUIT WHICH MADE A LANDINGAT THE AIRPORT IMPOSSIBLE. A TEARDOWN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 1 CONNECTING ROD WAS BROKEN WITH SIGNS OF EXTREME OVER HEATING TO THE POINT OF MELTING AND PERFORMING THE CONNECTING ROD AND CAP. THE ROD BEARING WAS SEVERELY WORN TO A POINT OF BEING PAPER THIN. THE OIL JOURNAL WAS CLOGGED WITH METAL DEBRIS. THE LACK OF LUBRICATION WAS CONFINED TO THIS CYLINDER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:50 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMooney MK21
Tail NumberN3399X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEarl L Kirkpatrick
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · I0360 AIA · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time02:52
Weather SourceWFAC