Mooney M20J accident near Lewiston, California, February 17, 2012
On February 17, 2012 at about 7:55 pm local time, a Mooney M20J, registered N367MR, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Lewiston, California (Weaverville airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of improper maintenance.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 17, 2012 · about 7:55 pm local time
- Place
- Lewiston, California · Weaverville · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20J · all M20Js on the register
- Registration
- N367MR · no longer on the register · serial 24-1437
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
As the airplane climbed to an altitude of about 4,000 feet mean sea level after departure, the engine quit and would not restart. The pilot landed the airplane on a 3-lane section of highway; however, as the highway narrowed, the airplane’s left wing struck two road signs and was substantially damaged. On-scene personnel observed oil streaks on the left side of the airplane’s wing and fuselage that appeared to emanate from the engine cowl. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 1 connecting rod bearing had seized and that internal engine damage was consistent with oil starvation. Additionally, examination revealed that a single propeller governor gasket was installed on the engine, whereas the proper gasket configuration was a governor pad plate sandwiched between two gaskets. Maintenance records showed that 10 hours before the accident, maintenance that required the removal and reinstallation of the propeller governor had been performed on the engine. The Mooney service manual does not specify that a 3-piece gasket stack be used when installing the propeller governor; however, the Mooney Illustrated Parts Manual shows a 3-piece gasket stack in place at the propeller governor. Additionally, a Lycoming Service Instruction and a Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin, both of which were issued in 2005, state that a propeller governor pad plate is necessary in this installation to eliminate the possibility of oil leakage between the propeller governor and the accessory housing.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Propeller system › Propeller controlling system › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Oil › Fluid level
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,234 hours in all; 284 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 1,200 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 29, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,064 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 12, 2011; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,740 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO360 SER (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KO54 Weaverville CA at 7:50 pm
- Destination: KO85 Redding CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.27 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KRDD, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.