# NTSB ATL83FA121: Mooney M20F, N43NC, Anniston, AL, February 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1983, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Anniston, AL
- Coordinates: 33.649826, -85.879722 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6498&lon=-85.8797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA121

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - fuel system - frozen (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

JUST PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, THE FUEL TANKS WERE FILLED. THE PLT STATED THAT HE DRAINED BOTH TANKS AFTER REFUELING BY USING THE STRAINER PULL HANDLE IN THE COCKPIT WITH THE SELECTOR POSITIONED TO EACH TANK. HOWEVER, HE DID NOT DRAIN THE INDIVIDUAL TANK SUMPS. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE CLIMBED TO 8000 FT & WAS IN NORMAL CRUISE, WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE NOTED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE HAD DROPPED TO NEAR ZERO & HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTORE THE PRESSURE OR START THE ENGINE. WHILE LANDING IN WINDS GUSTING TO 22 KTS, HE CLEARED POWER LINES, BUT JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE. NO DISCREPANCIES OF THE ACFT WERE FOUND EXCEPT WATER IN SOME LOCATIONS OF THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FLT MANUAL NOTED THAT FREEZING TEMPS WERE COMMON ABOVE 8000 FT & IF ENCOUNTERED, CONDENSED WATER IN THE LINES WOULD FREEZE & CAUSE FUEL STARVATION; THEREFORE, SUMPS SHOULD BE DRAINED BEFORE EACH FLT & AFTER EACH REFUELING. IT ALSO WARNS TO ALLOW 5 MIN FOR WATER & SEDIMENT TO SETTLE IN THE TANKS & FUEL SELECTOR VALVE BEFORE TAKING SAMPLES. TEMP AT 8000 FT APRX 28 DEG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N43NC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-147
- Airframe hours: 1241
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Synder Service Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 1982, 172 hours before
- Departed: 8A4, MARIETTA, GA
- Destination: M03, CONWAY, AK
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 1,275 in this make and model, 1,225 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 12 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830225005449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830225005449A), Feb 25, 1983: Mooney M20F, Anniston, AL, Destroyed. Engine quit at 8000 feet. Unable to locate landing area. Struck trees. Water in fuel lines. Freezing temperature.

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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