Mooney 20J N205MD

Summary

On 8 January 1995 at about 21:53 local time, a Mooney 20J registered N205MD was involved in an accident near St. Petersburg, Florida, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 January 1995 at 21:53

Classification

Accident

Location

St. Petersburg, Florida, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Mooney 20J

Registration

N205MD

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA95LA056

3 people had minor injuries.

The failure of the No. 3 connecting rod bolt due to oil starvation for undetermined reasons. This resulted in a total loss of engine power, forced landing, and subsequent ditching.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated he took off over the bay, climbed to 1,000 feet msl and leveled off. The engine was running rough and the oil pressure was decreasing. He notified the control tower he was returning to the airport. When he decreased power, the engine started to shake violently. A forced landing was made into a bay. The airplane was recovered and the engine was examined by the manufacturer in the presence of the FAA. Disassembly of the engine revealed a separation of the No. 3 connecting rod cap and bolts. Further examination of the components by the NTSB laboratory revealed a failure of the No. 3 connecting rod bolt due to oil starvation for undetermined reasons.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.