Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Loss of Engine Power (Total): Mooney M20C Ranger, N6833N; accident occurred August 20, 2017 near Flagler Executive Airport (KFIN), Palm Coast, Florida

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

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida

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/N6833N

Location: Palm Coast, FL
Accident Number: ERA17LA284
Date & Time: 08/20/2017, 2055 EDT
Registration: N6833N
Aircraft: MOONEY M20C
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On August 20, 2017, about 2055 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N6833N, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power after takeoff from Flagler Executive Airport (FIN), Palm Coast, Florida. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the planned personal flight to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The airplane was privately owned and operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the pilot, he and a passenger were flying back to FXE from a flight earlier in the day to St Marys Airport (4J6), St Marys, Georgia. They stopped at FIN for fuel. During the subsequent takeoff, the pilot noticed that the engine did not seem to be producing full power. During the initial climb, he felt the engine continue to lose power and about 400 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. He told the local air traffic controller that the engine lost all power and he was going to land on a road. During touch-down, he noticed flames coming into the cockpit around the passenger's feet. He stopped the airplane and both occupants egressed as quickly as possible. The pilot further stated he did not turn off the master switch or boost pump, nor could he get back in the airplane to turn it off as the flames were too intense at that time.

According to a witness, he was working in his hangar, approximately 75 yards away from the self-service fuel farm, when he heard an airplane start up. He stated the engine was running very rough and walked outside to see what the problems was. He saw the accident airplane sitting at the fuel farm and noticed the engine exhaust was "shaking." Then he stated the airplane taxied away towards the runway. After a few minutes, the airport authority came down and locked up the fuel farm and stated that the Mooney just crashed on a road.

Examination of the of the airplane following the accident revealed that the cabin was consumed by fire. The engine compartment was black from soot, but intact. The wings, tail section, and landing gear were intact. Thumb compression was attained on all cylinders except the No. 4 cylinder. Borescope examination of the cylinder and revealed that the head was cracked from the exhaust valve to one of the spark plug holes. The fuel pressure gauge line was burnt approximately 3 inches from the carburetor. The bottom of the firewall, in front of the co-pilot's seat, and just below the rudder pedals, was burnt through and the metal was drooping from heat exposure.

The four seat, low-wing airplane, was manufactured in 1968. It was powered by a Lycoming O-360 series, 180-horsepower engine, driving a Hartzell two-blade, constant-speed propeller.

According to FAA and aircraft maintenance records, the airplane was originally issued an airworthiness certificate on May 30, 1968, and registered to the owner on November 15, 2012. According to maintenance records, the most recent annual inspection was conducted on November 1, 2016, with a recorded time in service of 7,644.5 hours. The engine was last overhauled on December 4, 2001 and had accumulated 680.4 hours of service at the time of inspection.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 35, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/19/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/10/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 400 hours (Total, all aircraft), 20 hours (Total, this make and model), 350 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 11 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: MOONEY
Registration: N6833N
Model/Series: M20C NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1968
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 680123
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/01/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2750 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 50 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 7644.5 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-360 SER
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: KDAB, 41 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 18 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0053 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 165°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 15000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 20000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 130°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.07 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 25°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: PALM COAST, FL (FIN)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (FXE)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 2055 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class D 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: In-Flight
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 29.477222, -81.136944 (est)

NTSB Identification: ERA17LA284
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, August 20, 2017 in Palm Coast, FL
Aircraft: MOONEY M20C, registration: N6833N
Injuries: 2 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 August 20, 2017, about 2055 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N6833N, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power after takeoff from Flagler Executive Airport (FIN), Palm Coast, Florida. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The airplane was owned and operated by the Mooney 6833 November Corp. under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the pilot, he and the passenger were flying back to FXE from a flight earlier in the day to St Marys Airport (4J6), St Marys, Georgia. They stopped at FIN for fuel. During the subsequent takeoff, the pilot noticed that the engine did not seem to be producing full power. During the initial climb, he felt the engine continue to lose power and about 400 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. He told the local air traffic controller that the engine lost all power and was going to land on a road. During touch down, he noticed flames coming into the cockpit around the passenger's feet. He stopped the airplane and both occupants egressed as quickly as possible. The pilot further stated he did not turn off the master switch or boost pump, nor could he get back in the airplane to turn it off as the flames were too intense at that time.

Examination of the wreckage at a salvage yard revealed that the cabin section was consumed by fire. The engine compartment was black from soot but intact. The wings, tail section, and landing gear were intact.

The four-seat, low-wing airplane, was manufactured in 1968. It was powered by a Lycoming O-360 series, 180-horsepower engine, driving a Hartzell two-blade, constant-speed propeller.

The airplane was retained for further examination.





Despite the fiery scene, no one was injured Sunday night when a single-engine plane went down on the S.R. 100 bridge in Flagler Beach.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, at 8:03 p.m. Jacksonville Region Communication Center received a call in regard to a plane crash on State Road 100, east of County Road 201 in Flagler Beach.

At 8:06 p.m., a trooper was dispatched to respond to the plane crash, according to the FHP report. Upon arrival on scene at 8:27 p.m., the trooper found the aircraft located in the left travel lane, eastbound on State Road 100 east of County Road 201.

The report stated that the pilot, Stevan Locki, 35, of Fort Lauderdale, and his passenger, Brandi Lee Bishop, 34, of Miami, were examined by medical personnel but sustained no injuries.

The aircraft was identified as a 1968 Mooney M20C with a Lycoming engine.

According to the report, Locki stated that after refueling at Flagler Airport, the aircraft begun to lose all power as its engine and all electronics on board failed in mid-flight. He stated that he had no choice but to land the aircraft on the roadway as traffic was clear prior to landing.

Flagler Beach Police, Flagler Beach Fire Department, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and the Flagler County Fire Department all assisted during this incident, which closed traffic in both directions. An FAA representative was contacted on scene by the Flagler Beach Police Department.

Upon clearing the scene, the aircraft was removed by Flagler Air Exchange and transported to its facility for further processing/investigation, according to the FHP report.

The FAA and NTSB will be conducting a separate investigation.

Brianne Lehan witnessed the incident.

“I saw it coming down as I was driving. It was really low and I looked up and one engine was on fire,” Lehan said. “The couple and their dog got out completely unscathed and even declined being looked at. Incredible and so glad they were OK.”

Flagler Beach Fire Department crews responded to the incident, which closed traffic in both directions.

Story, video and photo gallery: http://www.news-journalonline.com















A single-engine plane executed an emergency landing on the Flagler Beach bridge at 7:50 this evening. The plane either was on fire or caught fire after it landed. Two people aboard escaped injuries.

The occupants were pilot Stevan Locki, 35, of Fort Lauderdale (that was the spelling of the name authorities provided) and Brandi Lee Bishop, 34, of Miami.
A small dog was also among the occupants, in its own kennel. The dog was also uninjured.

“As they were climbing out is when the fire was coming into the cockpit,” Lt. Dusty Snyder of the Flagler Beach Fire Department said. Snyder was in command of the fire scene, which he suppressed with firefighters Alan Forehand and Jimmy Conroy, one of the newest department recruits. Flagler County’s Engine 92 assisted, particularly with water (there are no hydrants on the bridge), and Rescue 11 stood by, but was not needed.

The occupants “self-extricated,” Snyder said.

Flagler County Fire Rescue Capt. Jamie Burnsed took the pilot and the passenger to safety at the eastern foot of the bridge. Their names are not yet released.

The plane landed on the eastbound lanes of the bridge, toward the mainland, and ended up facing southeast when it came to a final rest.

The plane is a single-engine Mooney with retractable gear. It had flown from Georgia to Flagler’s airport. Problems developed son after it took off from Flagler again.

It is not yet clear why specifically the plane was forced to make an emergency landing. Traffic was not impeded. “They smelled smoke and that’s what prompted the landing,” Sgt. David Acieri of the Flagler Beach police said.

“There’s no injuries, everyone is fine, FHP is going to do the actual investigation,” Acieri said, referring to the Florida Highway Patrol.

An FHP investigator reported overnight: “During my interview with Mr. Locki, he stated that after refueling at Flagler Airport, the aircraft begun to lose all power as his engine and all electronics on board failed while in mid flight. The pilot stated that he had no choice but to land the aircraft on the roadway as traffic was clear prior to landing.”

The plane at one point was engulfed in flames, after it was on the ground. “When I came up I just saw the flames, they were putting it out,” said Flagler County Sheriff’s Sgt. Kim Davis, referring to the Flagler Beach Fire Department, which handled the fire swiftly.

“The cockpit itself was fully engulfed,” Snyder said.

Neither occupant of the plane had to be transported to a hospital. A man and a woman were the plane’s occupants.

“There was a good knockdown on the fire,” Flagler Beach Fire Chief Bobby Pace said, “One of the bigger concerns was fuel went down into the drain, which the guys are flushing out with foam.”

Gregg Shugg, a Flagler Beach pilot who specializes in gliders, was near the scene of the forced landing, observing the circumstances. He said the pilot “did an amazing job” bringing the plane down, likely with traffic, going westbound. “Given the choice, that’s the only choice I’d have taken.” He said the pilot would have to calculate a landing between light poles, the bridge’s concrete median, electric wires, and of course traffic.

The National Transportation Safety Board will take possession of the plane Monday morning and conduct a crash investigation, which usually takes months, with a preliminary report released first, then a final report.

The Federal Aviation Administration release the following statement: “A Mooney M20C made an emergency landing on State Road 100 in Palm Coast, FL tonight at 7:55 pm. The pilot reported engine problems. The aircraft departed the Flagler Executive Airport, Palm Coast FL and was going to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Fort Lauderdale.”

Story and photo gallery: https://flaglerlive.com

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