April 19, Tomball, Texas / Mooney M20F

At 16:33 CDT, a Mooney M20F lost engine power near Tomball and was damaged in the forced landing. The pilot suffered a minor injury and the passenger was not injured. The airplane was climbing through 4,000 feet on an IFR flight plan from Conroe to San Marcos, Texas, when the engine rpm increased and the engine oil pressure dropped to zero. The pilot was vectored toward Hooks Airport but landed in a field short of the runway. Examination of the engine revealed the No. 4 connecting rod sticking out of the crankcase....

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A Mooney M20F experienced a catastrophic engine failure, with the No. 4 connecting rod protruding from the crankcase, during an IFR climb near Tomball, Texas.
  • The engine failure was preceded by increased RPM and a drop in oil pressure to zero, forcing the pilot to land in a field short of Hooks Airport.
  • The aircraft was damaged in the forced landing; the pilot sustained minor injuries, while the passenger was uninjured.
See a mistake? Contact us.

At 16:33 CDT, a Mooney M20F lost engine power near Tomball and was damaged in the forced landing. The pilot suffered a minor injury and the passenger was not injured. The airplane was climbing through 4,000 feet on an IFR flight plan from Conroe to San Marcos, Texas, when the engine rpm increased and the engine oil pressure dropped to zero. The pilot was vectored toward Hooks Airport but landed in a field short of the runway. Examination of the engine revealed the No. 4 connecting rod sticking out of the crankcase.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE