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November 30, 2000 · Mooney M20C · N942TB

Hazard, KY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
November 30, 2000
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Location
Hazard, KY
Aircraft
Mooney M20C
Tail Number
N942TB
Injuries
Minor
NTSB Number
NYC01IA046

During cruise flight, the pilot became incapacitated. The pilot rated passenger was able to fly the airplane toward an airport and wake the pilot. The pilot landed uneventfully, but suffered from toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Examination of the airplane revealed a hole in the cabin air scat tubing. The hole was in the vicinity of the joint that connected the number one cylinder to the exhaust manifold, and there was a visible gap in the joint. Further examination revealed that the sometime during the airplane's history, the scat tubing had been misrouted.

NTSB Probable Cause

The incorrect routing of the cabin air scat tubing by an unknown person, which resulted in a carbon monoxide leak into the cabin, and subsequent pilot incapacitation.

Full Narrative

On November 30, 2000, about 1100 Eastern Standard Time, a Mooney M20C, N942TB, was not damaged during a pilot incapacitation event near Hazard, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot and pilot rated passenger received minor injuries, and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH), Lynchburg, Virginia; destined for Kyle-Oakley Field (CEY), Murray, Kentucky. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he was in cruise flight at 8,000 feet near Hazard, Kentucky. He began to feel ill, and requested a descent to 6,000 feet. The pilot then began to "go in and out of consciousness." The pilot rated passenger had not flown for over 25 years, but was able to fly the airplane to Big Sandy Regional Airport (K22), Prestonsburg, Kentucky. The pilot rated passenger successfully woke the pilot, and the pilot made an uneventful landing. The pilot stated that he remembered flying a left-hand traffic pattern at K22, but did not remember landing the airplane. The pilot further stated that hospital tests revealed he and the pilot rated passenger had toxic levels of carbon monoxide in their blood. Carbon monoxide was present in the rear seat passengers, but the levels were not toxic. Examination of the airplane revealed a hole in the cabin air scat tubing. The hole was next to the joint that connected the exhaust manifold to the exhaust from the number one cylinder. The joint was not secure, and a gap was visible. Photographs of the engine were forwarded to the airplane manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that sometime during the airplane's history, the scat tubing was misrouted. The tube with the hole, connected the air inlet to the cabin. A second tube connected the air inlet to a heater exchange. The tube with the hole was suppose to be routed underneath the second tube, however, it was resting on top of it. The manufacturer added that the scat tubing was not clamped, but the clamps would only help if the tube was correctly routed. The pilot stated that maintenance work was performed on his airplane prior to the day of the incident. Specifically, a fixed base operator replaced the alternator. However, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector stated that the misrouting could have happened during any of several prior maintenance visits. The inspector could not confirm that the most recent maintenance work was the cause of the misrouting. Additionally, he could not confirm when the gap formed in the joint between the cylinder and exhaust manifold. The airplane's last annual inspection was performed on October 28, 2000.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time11:00 EST
Nearest AirportBig Sandy Regional (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20C
Tail NumberN942TB
Aircraft CategoryAir
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured2
Total4
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 1900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 25 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data