# Accident 19970715018609A: Mooney M20C, Serepta, LA, July 15, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 15, 1997, 10:30 local time
- Place: Serepta, LA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.8899° N, 93.4494° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8899&lon=-93.4494&mi=10
- Aircraft: N777TU, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777TU-2006-02-23) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Mooney M20C (registry code 5870208, https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW97FA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97FA269) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970715018609A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AIRCRAFT WAS OVERDUE, ALNOT ISSUED, WRECKAGE LOCATED. (-23) ON JULY 15, 1997, AT 1130 CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME, A MOONEY M20C, N777TU, OWNED BY A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL AND OPERATED BY A PRIVATE PILOT UNDER TITLE 14 CFR PART 91, IMPACTED THE TERRAIN DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER NEAR SAREPTA, LOUISIANA. THE  PRIVATE PILOT RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES AND THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED FOR THE PLANNED CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT AND A FLIGHT PLAN WAS NOT FILED. THE FLIGHT DEPARTED NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, AT 0536. DURING PERSONAL INTERVIEWS, CONDUCTED BY THE INVESTIGATOR-IN-CHARGE, THE OWNER, WITNESSES, AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES REPORT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION. THE PILOT RECEIVED A GROUND AND FLIGHT CHECK IN THE AIRPLANE ON JULY 14, 1997, AT SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, SAN ANTONIO TEXAS. THE PILOT FLEW THE AIRPLANE TO NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, FOR THE EVENING AND DEPARTED THE FOLLOWING MORNING.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW97FA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97FA269), Jul 15, 1997: Mooney M20C (N777TU), Sarepta, LA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's impairment (drugs) resulting in his becoming disoriented and the ensuing loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Factors were the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing and…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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