Pilot Debrief

MOONEY M20J near Pacoima, CA — 2016-02-22

Final reportWPR16LA074
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Date
2016-02-22
Location
Pacoima, CA, USA
Airport
WHP
Aircraft
MOONEY M20J
Registration
N201KY
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

About 3 minutes after takeoff, the engine started to run roughly. The private pilot contacted the tower controller and advised that he was turning back to the runway. While on short final, he pulled back on the power, and the engine lost total power. The pilot was able to restart the engine, but it again lost total power. The airplane was unable to reach the runway, and the pilot subsequently initiated a forced landing to a street, during which, the airplane struck a moving car and numerous parked vehicles. A postaccident engine test run did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after engine started to run rough.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

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