Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

October 13, 2003 · Mooney M20K · N4085H

Carrollton, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 13, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Carrollton, GA
Aircraft
Mooney M20K
Tail Number
N4085H
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL04LA017

The flight was the airplane's first flight since the installation of a new engine. During cruise flight, the engine suddenly stopped producing power, and the propeller wind-milled. The pilot's attempts to restore engine power were unsuccessful. During forced landing to a small, uneven field, the airplane collided with the ground. Test bench examination of the magnetos and ignition harnesses revealed the components functioned to factory specifications. Test bench flow examinations of the throttle body fuel control, fuel pump, fuel manifold valve, lines and nozzles revealed the components functioned to factory specifications. Disassembly examination of the engine and accessories revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On October 13, 2003, about 1915 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20K, N4085H, registered to and operated by the airline transport pilot, collided into an uneven field following a loss of engine power in the vicinity of Carrollton, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airline transport pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local flight departed Lyons Landing private airstrip, Whitesburg, Georgia, about 1900 on October 13, 2003. The flight was the airplane's first flight since the installation of a new engine, and the pilot estimated the engine had accumulated four hours of ground operating time. The pilot stated the engine start, warm up, and run up were normal with fuel flow, oil pressure, and cylinder head temperatures within normal range. The pilot stated the takeoff and climbout were normal, and he maneuvered the airplane in the vicinity of the airstrip at 3,000 feet mean sea level. The pilot stated he flew the airplane west for a few minutes, then began a turn back toward the airstrip. He stated the engine suddenly stopped producing power, and the propeller wind-milled. The pilot's attempts to restore engine power were unsuccessful. The pilot located a small field for emergency landing. During approach to the field, the pilot maneuvered the airplane clear of trees and power lines, and the airplane collided with the uneven ground and skidded approximately 75 feet before coming to a stop. Examination of the airplane revealed the left wing was separated, the engine was separated from the firewall, and the right wing, fuselage, and empennage were damaged. Examination of the engine at a recovery facility revealed crush damage to the left and right exhaust pipes and damage to the propeller. Fuel retrieved from the gascolator appeared free of contaminants. The low-end fuel pressure adjustment screw lock-nut on the fuel pump was found loose. The damaged propeller was removed, a test propeller was installed, and the engine was supplied fuel and electrical power. The engine was started, and it ran rough with the mixture control near the idle cutoff position. The oil return line from the turbocharger was observed to leak, and the engine was shut down. The oil return line was repaired, and a second engine start was attempted with the mixture in the full rich position, and the engine would not start. The engine was shipped to Teledyne Continental Motors, Mobile, Alabama, for further examination. Dye penetrant examination of the crankshaft propeller flange revealed cracks on the aft flange radius. The cracks precluded a full diagnostic engine run in a factory test cell. Examination of the exhaust damage revealed the No. 6 riser was crushed, and crush damage restricted the exhaust flow area from the Nos. 2, 4, and 6 side of the engine and transition flow area to the Nos. 1, 3, and 5 side turbocharger assembly. Test bench examination of the magnetos and ignition harnesses revealed the components functioned to factory specifications. Test bench flow examinations of the throttle body fuel control, fuel pump, fuel manifold valve, lines and nozzles revealed the components functioned to factory specifications. Disassembly examination of the engine and accessories revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 EDT
Nearest AirportLyons Landing (2nm W)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20K
Tail NumberN4085H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTeledyne Continental · TSIO-360-LB1 · Reciprocating · 210
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time23:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data