FLAGSTAFF, AZ, USA
N231AX
MOONEY M20K
THE PILOT HAD RETURNED FROM AN EARLIER DEPARTURE BECAUSE HE HAD SMOKE INSIDE THE AIRPLANE, AND REQUESTED THE ASSISTANCE OF A MECHANIC. UNABLE TO OBTAIN THIS ASSISTANCE, HE BORROWED A PAIR OF PLIERS FROM THE FBO. AFTER INSPECTING THE AIRPLANE HIMSELF, HE RETURNED THE PLIERS AND COMMENTED SOMETHING ABOUT THE EGT PROBE TO THE LINE PERSON ON DUTY. SOON AFTER THE SECOND DEPARTURE, THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN RETURNING TOWARDS THE AIRPORT TRAILING SMOKE AND POSSIBLY FIRE. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED INVERTED AND DESCENDED INTO TREES. THE AIRPORT MANAGER RESPONDING TO THE ACCIDENT SCENE LOCATED THE EXHAUST TAILPIPE. THE FRACTURED TURBO CLAMP WAS LOCATED AT THE WRECKAGE. METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS REVEALED THAT CRACKING OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF INTERGRANULAR CORROSION. ON 9/26/90 THE TURBOCHARGER WAS REMOVED, REPAIRED AND REINSTALLED.
THE PILOT'S DECISION TO OPERATE THE AIRCRAFT WITH A KNOWN DISCREPANCY; INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES; AND THE PILOT'S INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO SMOKE AND FUMES IN THE COCKPIT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
