# Accident 20070228005099A: Mooney M20F, Avondalen, PA, February 28, 2007

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 28, 2007, 13:10 local time
- Place: Avondalen, PA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.8069° N, 75.7681° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8069&lon=-75.7681&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3278F, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3278F-2013-05-09) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Mooney M20F (registry code 5870214, https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 series (registry code 41515, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F
- Reported engine: LYC IO360A1A
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 2,065 total, 292 in this make and model, 61 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC07CA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA080) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070228005099A

## Narrative

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

(-23) PILOT CLEANED SNOW AND ICE FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND PERFORMED THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION. HE TOOK OFF ON RWY 32 (KILG) AND DEPARTED TO THE WEST. THE VFR FLIGHT PROCEEDED TO THE VICINITY OF CHESTER COUNTY AIRPORT, NEW GARDEN AIRPORT AND THEN TURNED BACK TOWARD NEW CASTLE AIRPORT (ILG). THE ENGINE SPUTTERED, THE PILOT SWITCHED TANKS AND TURNED ON THE FUEL PUMP. THE ENGINE CAUGHT BRIEFLY, SPUTTERED AGAIN AND THEN QUIT. HE CALLED ILG AND TOLD THEM THAT HE WAS TURNING TOWARD NEW GARDEN AIRPORT. HE PERFORMED A GEAR UP, FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 MILES SSW OF NEW GARDEN AIRPORT. THE PILOT WAS UNINJURED AND THE AIRCRAFT HAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FIREWALL AND FUSELAGE.

## 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 NYC07CA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA080), Feb 28, 2007: Mooney M20F (N3278F), Landenberg, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper preflight planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and subsequent forced landing to a field.

## Other reports on N3278F (2)

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

- [Incident 19991012029759I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991012029759I), Oct 12, 1999: Mooney M20F (N3278F), Toughenamon, PA, Minor damage. (-23) See ptrs: EA17200000129 and EA17200000174 for narrative.
- [Incident 19851024060449I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851024060449I), Oct 24, 1985: Mooney M20F (N3278F), Dallas, TX, Minor damage. After practice approach pilot circled to land and forgot to extend gear. Did not hear gear warning due to headset.

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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