Mooney M20E Chaparral, N7118U registered to and operated by Smooth Blue Inc: Accident occurred May 02, 2017 near Johnson County Executive Airport (KOJC), Olathe, Kansas

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Kansas City, Missouri

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Smooth Blue Inc: http://registry.faa.gov/N7118U

Location: Olathe, KS
Accident Number: GAA17CA260
Date & Time: 05/02/2017, 1830 CDT
Registration: N7118U
Aircraft: MOONEY M20
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel starvation
Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the initial climb, about 1,000 ft above the ground, he "saw the engine power winding down." He added that he "turned on" the boost pump, checked the magnetos and fuel mixture, and then switched the fuel selector to the other fuel tank. The engine experienced a total loss of power and then impacted the ground.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that he traveled to the accident, and while on-site, he observed that the fuel selector knob set screw was loose and that the knob turned freely on the shaft.

The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: 
The loose fuel tank selector knob set screw, which prevented the fuel selector from moving to the fuel tank position for the tank with usable fuel and resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent total loss of engine power.

Findings

Aircraft
Fuel selector/shutoff valve - Malfunction (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Prior to flight
Unknown or undetermined

Takeoff
Fuel starvation (Defining event)
Loss of engine power (total)
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Commercial; Flight Engineer; Private
Age: 71, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Unknown
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/14/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/21/2017
Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: MOONEY
Registration: N7118U
Model/Series: M20 E
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1964
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 360
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection:
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2575 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: IO360 SER
Registered Owner: SMOOTH BLUE INC.
Rated Power: hp
Operator: SMOOTH BLUE INC.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KOJC, 1070 ft msl
Observation Time: 2353 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 342°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 11000 ft agl
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 5°C
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots, 10°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Olathe, KS (OJC)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Unknown
Destination: MANHATTAN, KS (MHK)
Type of Clearance: Unknown
Departure Time: 1830 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: JOHNSON COUNTY EXECUTIVE (OJC)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 1096 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Unknown
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: None 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 38.846389, -94.737500 (est)