# NTSB ATL01LA011: Mooney M20E, N9198V, Fort Myers, FL, November 27, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 2000, 09:53 local (14:53 UTC)
- Place: Fort Myers, FL
- Location: 26.6011° N, 81.8641° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from PAGE FLD (FMY), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6011&lon=-81.8641&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 51044
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51044/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA011

## Probable cause

Fuel system contamination that resulted in fuel starvation.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,injector - contamination (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - animal(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff the engine failed. The pilot attempted to return to the runway but landed in a field short of the airport, striking a cow and substantially damaging the airplane. Examination of the engine found water and other contaminants in the fuel injector inlet screen.

## Factual narrative

On November 27, 2000, at 0953 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20E, N9198V, lost engine power and collided with the ground shortly after takeoff from the Fort Myers Page Airport, in Fort Myers, Florida. The airplane was operated by the owner/pilot under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and instrument flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a IFR flight plan was filed for the cross country flight to Lawrenceville, Georgia. The pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was originating from Fort Myers, Florida,  at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff at about 1,000 feet, the engine lost power. "It did not cough, sputter, or run rough, it just lost all power". The propeller continued to windmill. The pilot attempted to return to the runway but landed in a field short of the airport. The airplane collided with a cow during the emergency landing.

Examination of the engine found water and other contaminants in the fuel injector inlet screen.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9198V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9198V-2001-08-10), registration cancelled 2001-08-10, S/N 690042 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Mooney M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 690042
- Airframe hours: 2823
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James P. Erler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 2000, 68 hours before
- Departed: FMY
- Destination: LZU, LAWRENCEVILLE, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FMY, Page Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,032 total, 253 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20001127024819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001127024819A), Nov 27, 2000: Mooney M20E, Ft Myers, FL, No damage. (-23) On November 27, 2000, about 0950 eastern standard time, a Mooney N919V, lost engine power after takeoff from runway 5 Page Field fort Myers, FL. The…

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.

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