Mooney M20C N6756N

Summary

On 24 June 1997 at about 22:40 local time, a Mooney M20C registered N6756N was involved in an accident near Bellwood, Pennsylvania, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

24 June 1997 at 22:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Bellwood, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

40.6005, -78.3306

Aircraft

Mooney M20C

Registration

N6756N

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Williamsport → Fort Wayne

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC97LA128

2 people had minor injuries.

the total loss of engine power due to failed connecting rods.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was in cruise flight at 4,000 feet when he heard a 'pop', experienced a loss of engine power, and encountered smoke in the cockpit. The pilot was in contact with ATC and received vectors for landing at the nearest airport. During the descent, the oil pressure went to 'zero', and the engine stopped producing power. The pilot's vision was obscured out the windscreen and he felt unable to complete a landing to the airport. He selected an open hay field through a side window and performed a forced landing. A fire in the engine compartment was extinguished after landing. Examination of the engine revealed a hole in the engine crankcase below the number one cylinder. Further examination revealed failure of the connecting rods on the number one and number two cylinders.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.