Mooney M20K N1168Z
21 June 2015 · Sheboygan, Wisconsin, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 21 June 2015 at about 16:30 local time, a Mooney M20K registered N1168Z, operated by James R. Pawlak, was involved in an accident near Sheboygan, Wisconsin, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 16:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Sheboygan, Wisconsin, United States
- Nearest airport
- Sheboygan County Mem (KSBM)
- Coordinates
- 43.7697, -87.8517
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20K
- Registration
- N1168Z
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1982
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- James R. Pawlak
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Sheboygan → Elkhart
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- IMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CEN15LA279
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
Oil starvation due to preignition in the No. 5 cylinder as a result of failed spark plugs; the top and sides of the piston head were eroded, which allowed the exhaust gases caused by the preignition to pressurize the crankcase and force engine oil out of the breather tube.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot advised air traffic control that he was returning to the airport due to low oil pressure. The engine subsequently lost power, and the pilot was forced to land in a wheat field 5 miles south of the airport. During on-site examination of the airplane, no oil was found in the crankcase, and subsequent examination of the engine and turbocharger revealed that the turbocharger was dry. Further examination of the engine revealed evidence of preignition in the No. 5 cylinder that appeared to have been caused by failed spark plugs. The top and sides of the piston head were eroded, which allowed the exhaust gases caused by the preignition to pressurize the crankcase and force engine oil out of the breather tube.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Mooney M20K accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Mar 2015 | Mooney M20K | Laurel, Maryland, United States | Pridgen Michael E | No injuries | - |
| 28 Dec 2015 | Mooney M20K | Mascouche, Canada | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 3 Jun 2015 | Mooney M20K | Fresno, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 9 Apr 2016 | Mooney M20K | Ocala, Florida, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 13 Nov 2014 | Mooney M20K | Clines Corners, New Mexico, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 21 Apr 2016 | Mooney M20K | Woodland, Washington, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Jul 2015 | Socata TBM 700 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | Trustey Management Corporation | Fatal | 2 |
| 5 Sep 2015 | Venus CP328 SUPER EMERAUDE | Port Wing, Wisconsin, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 14 Jun 2015 | Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A | Elk Mound, Wisconsin, United States | Churchill, Scott | No injuries | - |
| 1 Aug 2015 | Cessna 182 | Watertown, Wisconsin, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 15 Nov 2015 | Hickham LANCAIR IV-P | Shawano, Wisconsin, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 21 Sep 2015 | Cessna 421B | Platteville, Wisconsin, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |