History of Flight
On June 25, 2023, about 1620 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20R, registration N13LV, was destroyed when it crashed near Southport, North Carolina. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The flight was operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
The airplane had been undergoing maintenance at Cape Fear Regional Jetport (SUT), Oak Island, North Carolina, since October 2022. The pilot-owner requested troubleshooting of interior lighting, brake servicing, attachment of a standby vacuum hose, and repair of an exhaust leak. The mechanic could not complete the work because dead batteries prevented engine start and run-up.
Upon inspecting the batteries, the mechanic found four 12-volt batteries installed instead of the required two 24-volt batteries. He deemed the installation unairworthy and refused the pilot's instruction to reinstall the four 12-volt batteries. The pilot requested the airplane's return, and the mechanic noted on the invoice that the aircraft was unairworthy.
On the day of the accident, witnesses observed excessive white exhaust smoke and oil leaking onto the ground as the airplane taxied from the mechanic's hangar to runway 23 for takeoff. Shortly after departure, the pilot reported an engine failure on the common traffic advisory frequency and stated his intention to return to runway 23. ADS-B data showed the airplane departed runway 23 about 1617, flew a left circuit, and impacted a residential area about half a mile before the runway threshold.
Personnel Information
The pilot's logbook was not recovered. On his most recent application for an FAA second-class medical certificate, dated June 9, 2017, he reported total flight experience of 3,945 hours.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft logbooks were not recovered. According to the mechanic, the pilot mentioned that the most recent annual inspection was completed in Pennsylvania during August 2022.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage came to rest in a residential yard near the left rear side of a home. A post-impact fire ensued but did not ignite the house. The wreckage lay on its right side, oriented about 090°. A debris path approximately 125 feet long began with the right aileron suspended in a 40-foot-tall tree, continuing northwest to the main wreckage. The left wing remained partially attached; its aileron and flap were attached, and the flap was extended. The right wing had separated and rested under the left wing; its aileron and flap had detached, with the aileron found in the tree. The landing gear was extended. The empennage was intact with oil streaks underneath. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to all surfaces except the separated right wing, where aileron continuity was confirmed to the wing root. The cockpit and cabin were consumed by fire.
The engine came to rest inverted with the propeller attached. An oil sump accessory port plug was found loose, with oily blue-stained baffling material below it. The No. 4 connecting rod had protruded through the top of the engine case. The oil dipstick showed no measurable oil.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed by the North Carolina Office of The Chief Medical Examiner listed the cause of death as multiple thermal injuries. Toxicological testing by the FAA Office of Forensic Sciences detected carboxyhemoglobin consistent with smoke inhalation, as well as the medications carvedilol, clopidogrel, and furosemide, which are not typically impairing.