# Accident 20030802032689A: Mooney M20B, Leonardtown, MD, August 2, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 2, 2003, 09:44 local time
- Place: Leonardtown, MD
- Airport: St Marys County Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Forced/Precautionary Landing
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.3153° N, 76.5500° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3153&lon=-76.5500&mi=10
- Aircraft: N33EM, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33EM-2007-09-12) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Mooney M20B (registry code 5870206, https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20b) (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 M20B
- Reported engine: LYC IO360LYC*
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 7,200 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC03LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA172) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030802032689A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE AIRPLANE JUST RECENTLY MOVED TO DUKE REGIONAL AIRPORT FROM FREDERICKSBURG, VA, WHERE IT WAS KEPT IN A HANGAR. AT DUKE REGIONAL AIRPORT, THE AIRPLANE WAS PARKED ON AN UNCOVERED RAMP WHICH HAD A SLIGHT INCLINE. THERE HAS BEEN A HIGH LEVEL OF RAINFALL AT DUKE REGIONAL AIRPORT DURING THE PRECEDING MONTH. THE PILOT STATED HE CONDUCTED A PREFLIGHT TO INCLUDE TAKING FUEL SAMPLES. DURING THE TAKEOFF PHASE, THE ENGINE LOST POWER OVER THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING ON THE AIRPORT PROPERTY. THE LEFT WINGTIP CONTACTED THE GROUND FIRST THUS RESULTING IN A CRASH DURING LANDING. INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT, AFTER THE ACCIDENT, REVEALED THAT WATER MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ENTER THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE OF A POOR SEAL AT THE FUEL PORT.

## 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 NYC03LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA172), Aug 2, 2003: Mooney M20B (N33EM), Leonardtown, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel. A factor was the fuel cap not being secured to the tank.

## Other reports on N33EM (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19960301009769I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960301009769I), Mar 1, 1996: Mooney M20B (N33EM), Monks Corner, SC. Narrative: eng. Failure- emerg. Landing on old hwy. 52 near Monks Corner, sc- no fuel in tanks(skip mayberry).

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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