The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Tampa, Florida
Location: Southeast Arcadia, Florida
Accident Number: ERA22LA099
Date and Time: January 1, 2022, 12:11 Local
Registration: N79396
Aircraft: Mooney M20C
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On January 1, 2022, about 1211 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N79396, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Arcadia, Florida. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to the pilot, he performed a preflight and verified he had sufficient fuel onboard for his flight. After an uneventful flight he entered the traffic pattern for runway 24. While on final approach about 300 to 400 ft, he reported the airplane “experienced some sink.” He added power and when the engine did not respond he pumped the throttle to no avail. He verified 4 gallons of fuel was in the right tank, and the boost pump was ON. Unable to make the runway he performed a forced landing in a field adjacent the runway. During touchdown the right wing clipped a tree and was substantially damaged.
The airplane and engine were recovered for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Mooney
Registration: N79396
Model/Series: M20C
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PGD,25 ft msl
Observation Time: 12:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 19 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C /19°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 3700 ft AGL
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 11 knots / , 210°
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: Brooksville, FL (X05)
Destination: Southeast Arcadia, FL
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Unknown
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 27.20004,-81.830592
Deputy Robert Wilds and Detective James Albritton responded Saturday afternoon to SE Highway 31 in reference to a plane crash.
After speaking to the pilot, Gregory Taylor, it seems he and his wife left Springhill, Florida, earlier that morning and planned on landing at Arcadia Municipal Airport to refuel.
Everything was going according to plan until the plane lost power on final landing.
Mr. Taylor knew he had to make an emergency landing and, after determining there were too many vehicles on the roadway, chose a nearby orange grove.
DeSoto County Fire Rescue - Administrative Office and DeSoto County Sheriff's Office worked together to secure the scene.
This all could've ended very differently.
We are just so thankful everyone was ok... and for obliging orange groves.
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office
The wife suffered head injuries, wonder if the plane had shoulder harnesses?
ReplyDeleteIt did, the "head injuries" were a light scratch.
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