Mooney M20J N658FT

Summary

On 3 February 2003 at about 23:45 local time, a Mooney M20J registered N658FT was involved in an accident near New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 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

3 February 2003 at 23:45

Classification

Accident

Location

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Coordinates

30.0425, -90.0283

Aircraft

Mooney M20J

Registration

N658FT

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

New Orleans → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW03LA092

4 people had minor injuries.

The loss of engine power as a result of the separation of the magneto assembly due to inadequate maintenance by unknown personnel. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane impacted a concrete levee following a loss of engine power after takeoff. According to the pilot, the flight departed and approximately 5 minutes later he heard a "loud bang," and the engine lost total power. He initiated a forced landing, during which the airplane contacted trees and a 10-foot high concrete levee. Examination of the wreckage revealed the single-drive magneto was separated from its accessory drive. In addition, the housing attachment bold threads did not indicate damage consistent with properly torqued and secured attaching hardware.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.