# NTSB ATL85LA026: Mooney M20C, N9315V, Bay St. Louis, MS, November 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1984, 18:45 local (Nov 3, 1984, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Bay St. Louis, MS
- Coordinates: 30.270652, -89.479202 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2707&lon=-89.4792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6700
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6700/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA026

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose down, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PRIOR TO DEPARTING ON A FLT FROM ARLINGTON, TX, TO GULFPORT, MS, THE PLT STATED THAT HE CHECKED AND FOUND THE FUEL TANKS FULL. ABOUT 17 MILES FROM GULFPORT THE FUEL GAGE SHOWED A RAPID LOSS OF FUEL AT WHICH TIME THE PLT SWITCHED TANKS.TWO MINUTES LATER THERE WAS A TTL LOSS OF POWER. THE PLT WAS GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS AND HEADINGS TO NEARBY ARPT FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. WHEN THE PLT HAD THE ARPT IN SIGHT HE ENTERED A LEFT BASE AND FINAL FOR LANDING. THE ACFT LANDED ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM THE RWY SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE ACFT. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION SHOWED BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY. A TEST RUN WAS MADE AFTER ADDING FUEL AND THE ENGINE RAN WITH NO DISCREPANCIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9315V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9315V), registered now, S/N 690092, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 690092
- Airframe hours: 1890
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gene Goutard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: F54, ARLINGTON, TX
- Destination: GPT, GULFPORT, MS
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,342 total, 130 in this make and model, 1,149 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GPT, 16 nm away

## 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 19841102062029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841102062029A), Nov 2, 1984: Mooney M20C, Bay St Louis, MS, Substantial damage. Low on fuel en route. Vectored to near airport ;but ran out of fuel and landed in a swamp half mile short.

## Other investigations on N9315V (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 ATL91LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA002), Oct 7, 1990: Mooney M20E (N9315V), Greensboro, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE RUBBER/METAL COUPLING IN THE LANDING GEAR ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY, WHICH RESULTED IN THE INABILITY OF THE PILOT TO LOWER AND LOCK THE LANDING GEAR.

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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