Saturday, April 29, 2017

Mooney M20E Super 21, N5863Q: Accident occurred December 14, 2015 near Corona Municipal Airport (KAJO), Riverside County, California

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

NTSB Identification: WPR16LA039
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, December 14, 2015 in Corona, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 05/01/2017
Aircraft: MOONEY M20E, registration: N5863Q
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The private pilot reported that the accident flight was the airplane’s first flight after being painted. After completing a preflight inspection, the pilot started the engine and observed a decrease in power. He leaned the mixture slightly, and the engine rpm returned to normal idle speed. The pilot reported that during the engine run-up, he noticed that the engine had a delayed response when he increased the throttle, but that the run-up otherwise revealed no anomalies. The pilot stated that the takeoff roll took longer than expected, and after lifting off near the end of the runway, the airplane climbed more slowly than normal. The pilot stated that during the initial climb, engine power had decreased to 2,000 rpm. As the airplane reached about 100 ft above ground level, the engine was producing about 1,800 rpm and could not maintain a climb. The pilot elected to continue straight ahead rather than return to the runway, and the airplane subsequently descended into trees. A postaccident examination revealed no anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the partial loss of engine power was not determined.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
A partial loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined based on available information. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct the takeoff with observed engine deficiencies.



The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Riverside, California 

Aviation Accident Factual Report -  National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket -  National Transportation Safety Board:   https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N5863Q

NTSB Identification: WPR16LA039
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, December 14, 2015 in Corona, CA
Aircraft: MOONEY M20E, registration: N5863Q
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On December 14, 2015, about 1341 Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20E, N5863Q, experienced a partial loss of engine power during takeoff from the Corona Municipal airport (AJO), Corona, California. The pilot (sole occupant) was uninjured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destined for the Chino Airport (CNO), Chino, California.

The pilot reported that this was the first flight after the airplane underwent a new paint application. After a thorough preflight, the pilot started the airplane and he observed the RPMs drop a little. He leaned the mixture slightly and the RPMs returned to normal idle speed. He taxied the airplane to the run-up area and conducted a run-up. As he increased the engine's RPMs to 1,800 for a magneto check, he observed a slight delay in the RPM increase, but otherwise all indications were normal. The pilot positioned the airplane onto the runway and added full power. He observed the RPMs increase slowly to 2,400 RPM. Halfway down the runway the airplane was not at lift off speed, however, the RPMs were above 2,400 RPM. The airplane reached 80 knots and lifted off the ground near the end of the runway; the airplane climbed slower than normal. The pilot leveled the airplane to gain airspeed, but he observed that the engine RPM dropped to 2,000 RPM. Expecting to conduct an emergency landing the pilot left the landing gear down and the fuel pump on, he also ensured the throttle and mixture were full rich. The RPMs decreased to 1,800 and at about 100 feet above the ground, the airplane started to descend into the trees at the end of the runway. The left wing impacted a tree top and the airplane descended abruptly into the ground below.

A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector and a mechanic did not reveal any anomalies. Flight control continuity was established, as well as, continuity to the throttle, mixture, and propeller controls. The fuel system was intact and fuel flowed freely through it. The valve covers were removed; the intake and exhaust valves sustained no abnormal wear signatures. The oil filter was removed and disassembled; no debris or contaminates were noted. The spark plugs were removed and displayed "normal" wear signatures when compared with the Champion "Check-a-plug" chart. The propeller was manually rotated and no binding or grinding was noted within the engine. Thumb compression was established on all cylinders. The magnetos were tested and fired normally.

NTSB Identification: WPR16LA039 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, December 14, 2015 in Corona, CA
Aircraft: MOONEY M20E, registration: N5863Q
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On December 14, 2015, about 1341 Pacific standard time, a Mooney M20E, N5863Q, experienced a partial loss of engine power during takeoff from the Corona Municipal Airport (AJO), Corona, California. The pilot (sole occupant) was uninjured and the airplane sustained substantial damage throughout. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destined for the Chino Airport (CNO), Chino, California. 

The pilot reported that this was the airplane's first flight after a new paint application. The pilot conducted a run-up with no abnormal indications. He started the takeoff roll and about halfway down the runway the airplane lifted off at 65 MPH. The pilot kept the initial climb shallow so the airplane could gain speed and altitude; however, it was not climbing. While quickly approaching the trees at the end of the runway, the pilot observed that the RPM was lower than normal despite full power and mixture. He leveled the airplane and flew towards a low spot in trees; the airplane's wing impacted a tree and it descended rapidly into the terrain below. 

The airplane has been recovered to a secure location for further examination.

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