Accident Number: CEN11CA609
Date & Time: 08/30/2011, 0900 CDT
Registration: N5501Q
Aircraft: MOONEY M20C
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that, while on a cross-country flight, the fuel in the left tank was exhausted and the engine stopped producing power. The pilot attempted to restore fuel to the engine by switching to the right tank, which contained fuel; however, realizing that he was too low to attempt an engine restart, he elected to perform a gear-up landing to a field. The airplane’s fuselage and right wing sustained substantial damage during the landing. No other preimpact anomalies with the airplane were reported.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
A total loss of engine power in flight due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s inadequate fuel management.
Findings
Aircraft
Fuel - Fluid management (Cause)
Personnel issues
Task scheduling - Pilot (Cause)
Factual Information
History of Flight
Enroute
Loss of engine power (total) (Defining event)
Emergency descent
Loss of engine power (total)
Landing
Off-field or emergency landing
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 66, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Seatbelt
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Unknown
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/13/2011
Flight Time: 400 hours (Total, all aircraft), 40 hours (Total, this make and model), 400 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: MOONEY
Registration: N5501Q
Model/Series: M20C
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 2939
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/29/2011, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4447 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-360 A1D
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: ADH, 1016 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 0855 CDT
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 12000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 16 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 140°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.89 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 17°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Kimberly City, MO (MO64)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Sulphur, MO (F30)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0700 CDT
Type of Airspace:
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 34.720556, -96.421389 (est)
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