20181110017159A

Accident · Substantial damage

FAA accident report · Mooney M20C · Wildwood, NJ · November 10, 2018

Date: November 10, 2018 · 15:30 local
Place: Wildwood, NJ
Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage: Substantial damage
Aircraft: N78870
NTSB investigation: NTSBERA19TA042
Reported as: Mooney M20C
Reported engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series
People aboard: 1
Fatal injuries: 0
Other injuries: 1
Pilot’s certificate: Private pilot

N78870Registration cancelled Jan 8, 2022 · Mooney M20CS/N 2885 · Built 1964 Airframe modelMooney M20C Engine modelLycoming O&VO-360 seriesReciprocating

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry 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.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

Aircraft departed runway 28 at wwd under VFR and at approximately 100' to 200' the engine began to sputter and quit. The pilot attempted a 180 degree return but struck the ground prior to completion of the turn. The pilot stated the engine failed due to his fuel mismanagement of attempting the takeoff on a nearly empty tank.

As the FAA filed it

AIRCRAFT DEPARTED RUNWAY 28 AT WWD UNDER VFR AND AT APPROXIMATELY 100' TO 200' THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND QUIT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A 180 DEGREE RETURN BUT STRUCK THE GROUND PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF THE TURN. THE PILOT STATED THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO HIS FUEL MISMANAGEMENT OF ATTEMPTING THE TAKEOFF ON A NEARLY EMPTY TANK.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB ERA19TA042Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3Final reportWildwood, NJThe pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to initiate a 180° turn following the loss of power.Nov 10, 2018 · Substantial damage