Mooney M20-C accident near Reading, Pennsylvania, December 11, 1999
On December 11, 1999 at about 1:15 pm local time, a Mooney M20-C, registered N6715U, was substantially damaged in an accident near Reading, Pennsylvania (Reading Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the number two connecting rod after an improper overhaul by maintenance personnel.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 11, 1999 · about 1:15 pm local time
- Place
- Reading, Pennsylvania · Reading Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20-C · all M20-Cs on the register
- Registration
- N6715U · registry record · serial 2447
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power, and performed a forced landing. Examination of the engine revealed a 1-inch by 6-inch hole, in the engine crankcase adjacent to the number two cylinder, and a fractured number two cylinder connecting rod. Additionally, the crankshaft installed in the engine, required the installation of sludge tubes in the crank-pins. Examination of the crankshaft revealed that the sludge tubes had not been installed. According to a representative of the engine manufacturer, the crankshaft installed in the engine was not approved for use in that model engine. Additionally, the absence of the crankshaft sludge tubes would not allow pressure oil to reach the connecting rod bearings and the connecting rod bearings would only receive splash, vapor and centrifugal force oil. The engine had been operated for about 940 hours since it was overhauled on April 16, 1990 and there were no logbook entries which indicated the crankshaft had been removed or replaced since the overhaul.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,875 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 1,610 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,600 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 9, 1998; 75 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,575 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RDG at 1:10 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:54 pm from RDG
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.